James Pollard* (British, 1797-1867)

Off in Good Style; and All Over but Settling

Details

James Pollard* (British, 1797-1867)
Off in Good Style; and All Over but Settling
one signed 'J pollard 1836' (lower left)
oil on canvas
15 x 25 in. (38.1 x 64.2 cm.)
a pair (2)

Provenance

H. Pessol, by 1951
Anon.; sale, Christie's London, 20 June 1975, lots 34 and 35
with Richard Green, London (acquired by Mr. Evans 6 October 1975)

Literature

N. C. Selway, James Pollard, Leigh-on-Sea, 1965, p. 43, nos. 176 and 178
N. C. Selway, The Golden Age of Coaching and Sport, Liegh-on-Sea, 1972, p. 35, nos. 201 and 203

Engraved

J. Harris, published by Ackermann, 1837

Lot Essay

These pictures depict the Great St. Leger of 1836 won by Elis ridden by John Day. Bred by Mr. Hood, Elis by Langar out of Olympia was purchased as a yearling by Charles Greville on behalf of Lord George Bentinck, who, having had his racing debts paid by his father the Duke of Portland by promising to end his betting, entered his horses in other men's names. Elis was trained by John Doe at the Goodwood stables of Lord Lichfield in whose silks he appears in these pictures. Having finished second to Bay Middleton in the 1836 2,000 Guineas, Elis was the favorite for the St. Leger. An elaborate plan was conceived by Lord George Bentinck to lengthen the betting odds whereby Elis would remain at Goodwood so that he could not walk the 250 mile trip to Doncaster and be fresh for the race. However, a horse van drawn by teams of coach horses had been secretly constructed to carry the favorite. (A wheel from this famous van is in the collection of the Jockey Club, Newmarket.) This innovation along with many others made Lord George Bentinck, according to Disraeli, "Lord Paramount of the Turf."