Lot Essay
'The Farrier', a chesnut, was by 'Bellerophon' and was probably owned by G. Thompson. A horse by this name, ridden by Major Thompson, won the Welham Silver Cup, a race over two miles restricted to gentleman riders and non- thoroughbred horses, at Malton on 3 May 1832. In 1833 and 1834 the horse won the Gold Cup at Holderness Hunt (value 260 in 1833 from a field of eleven, and 240 in 1834 when ten ran). To qualify, the horse had to be hunted in Yorkshire and ridden by a member of the Holderness.
The church in the background of this painting is probably Beverley Minster. Presumably the hunt borrowed Beverley racecourse annually.
The church in the background of this painting is probably Beverley Minster. Presumably the hunt borrowed Beverley racecourse annually.