Jack Spigot, a dark bay racehorse with jockey up

Jack Spigot, a dark bay colt, was foaled in 1818 by Ardrossan or Marmion out of the sister to Bourbon. He had a distinguished career winning all his four races until he was eventually defeated in a famous race for the Preston Gold Cup aged 4, where he was marked odds on against the two best horses in the North. His limitations were exposed when he came last of the three, with Reveller coming in first and Doctor Syntax as runner up. In 1821, he won the St. Leger, ridden by William Scott. This was the first of a record nine St. Legers which Scott won although Jack Spigot is said to have had a great dislike for the jockey. He was buried in the centre of Yew Tree Court, Bolton Hall, in June 1843. The jockey in this picture is shown wearing deep yellow with a purple velvet cap, these being the colours of the horse's owner, the Hon. Orde Powlett. Herring painted a number of portraits of Jack Spigot; one showing him in a paddock at Bolton Hall, was sold Christie's, London, 15 December 1993, lot 84 (£70,000).