James Seymour* (British, 1702-1752)

The Duke of Devonshire's Flying Childers, held by a Jockey

Details

James Seymour* (British, 1702-1752)
The Duke of Devonshire's Flying Childers, held by a Jockey
signed and dated 'J.Seymour/1739' (lower left)
oil on canvas
33 x 34 in. (85.2 x 87.7 cm.)

Provenance

with Arthur Ackermann & Son, London (acquired by Mr. Evans 4 April 1974)

Lot Essay

Bred by Colonel Leonard Childers and foaled in 1715, Childers was by the Darley Arabian out of Betty Leedes. As a yearling he was sold to William, 2nd Duke of Devonshire, whose straw livery are worn by the jockey. Although lightly raced, he was unbeaten and was described as 'the fleetest horse that ever ran at Newmarket.' The prefix Flying was later added as his reputation grew.

An engraving, probably after this painting, without the running horses in the background, appears in T. H. Taunton, Portraits of Celebrated Racehorses, London, 1887, Vol. 1, opp. p. 16.