Lot Essay
'Beeswing', bred in 1833 by 'Dr. Syntax' out of a mare by 'Ardrosson' was owned by Mr. William Orde of Nunnykirk, and nicknamed 'The Pride of Northumberland'. She raced from 2 to 9 years, ran 64 times, winning 51 races. She won the Ascot Gold Cup in 1842, and the Doncaster Cup in 1840, '41 and '42. She was the Dam of two classic winners in 'Newminster' by 'Touchstone', who won the St. Leger in 1851, and 'Nunnykirk', also by 'Touchstone', winner of the 2,000 Guineas in 1841. She died in 1854.
'Queen of Trumps' was bred in 1832 by 'Velocipede' out of 'Princess Royal' and was owned by the Hon. E.M.L. Mostyn at Doncaster. She won The Oaks and St. Leger in 1835. She only had four foals, including 'Earl of Richmond' (1840) and 'The Black Prince' (1842) both by 'Touchstone'. She died in September 1843.
'Alice Hawthorn' was bred in 1838 by 'Muley Moloch' out of 'Rebecca'. She raced from 3 to 7 years, winning 50 races. She won the Chester Cup in 1842, the Doncaster Cup in 1843 and 1844, the Goodwood Cup in 1844, and was third in the Emperor of Russia's Cup in 1845. She was the Dam of 'Thormanby' (1857), who won the Derby in 1860, and the best of her other progeny was 'Oulston' (1852) by 'Melbourne'. She died in 1861.
A similar painting of the tree mares with foals and a grey gelding by Herring Sen., painted in 1847, was sold in these Rooms on 26 April 1985, lot 22, although as 'Alice Hawthorn' did not go to stud until 1846, and 'Queen of Trumps' died in 1843, Herring used some artistic licence to paint these three famous brood mares together.
'Queen of Trumps' was bred in 1832 by 'Velocipede' out of 'Princess Royal' and was owned by the Hon. E.M.L. Mostyn at Doncaster. She won The Oaks and St. Leger in 1835. She only had four foals, including 'Earl of Richmond' (1840) and 'The Black Prince' (1842) both by 'Touchstone'. She died in September 1843.
'Alice Hawthorn' was bred in 1838 by 'Muley Moloch' out of 'Rebecca'. She raced from 3 to 7 years, winning 50 races. She won the Chester Cup in 1842, the Doncaster Cup in 1843 and 1844, the Goodwood Cup in 1844, and was third in the Emperor of Russia's Cup in 1845. She was the Dam of 'Thormanby' (1857), who won the Derby in 1860, and the best of her other progeny was 'Oulston' (1852) by 'Melbourne'. She died in 1861.
A similar painting of the tree mares with foals and a grey gelding by Herring Sen., painted in 1847, was sold in these Rooms on 26 April 1985, lot 22, although as 'Alice Hawthorn' did not go to stud until 1846, and 'Queen of Trumps' died in 1843, Herring used some artistic licence to paint these three famous brood mares together.