The Oakley Hunt was commissioned by Charles Magniac MP whose extensive collection at Colworth, Bedfordshire, of English sporting paintings included the finest examples of works by artists such as Alken and Herring Senior. Magniac befriended the artist who we are told by Gilbey (op.cit.) "spent two years with his hospitable patron. During his stay he painted numerous pictures, among them the largest canvas that ever left his easel; this was 'The Oakley Hunt'".
W. Shaw Sparrow (op.cit.) and Mitchell (op.cit.) both refer to this picture as his finest.