Sir H.T. Vane's Hambletonian beating Mr. Cookson's Diamond in the Match for 3,000 Guineas, Beacon Course, Newmarket Craven Meeting, 1799

This famous match for 3,000 Guineas (an unusually large sum) took place on 25th March, 1799 and resulted in Hambletonian conceeding 3 pounds to Diamond in the close finish depicted. The match was remarkable primarily for the high quality of the contestants. Hambletonian won eighteen of his nineteen races between 1795 and 1800 including the St. Leger. His only defeat came when he ran out in a race at York, which on usual form he would have easily won. Diamond's career was not quite so distinguished but he was a very good horse and the winner was only 5/4 on despite his record. The building in the background is the King's Stand at the finish of the four mile Beacon Course at Newmarket and the usual procedure of spectators following in the runners for the last few furlongs is clearly shown. The jockeys were Frank Buckle on the winner and Dennis Fitzpatrick on Diamond.

Sartorius painted The Newmarket Sweepstakes for 600 Guineas, 1802 which is very similar in format to the present work and which was sold as part of the Thomas Mellon Evans Collection by Christie's, New York, 3 December 1998, lot 19 ($51,750).