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Lot Essay
Pussy, a brown filly, was foaled by Pollio out of Valve by Bob Booty. She was bred by Mr. Lechmere Charlton of Ludford Park, Shropshire who sold her to Mr. Thomas Cosby, in whose colors she is depicted here. Pussy had a long racing career from 1833 to 1837, with her main win being the 1834 Oaks at Epsom. In total she won eleven races, the last three after she had been sold to the Duke of Richmond. Apart from the Oaks, her other significant victories were in the Ascot Derby and the Oatlands Stakes at Ascot.
In the Oaks, run on 30 May 1834, she was quite unfancied and started at the long odds of 20-1. Ridden by 'old John' Day she got off to a bad start, being nearly the last away. The pace was set by Nell Gwynne, leading from Louisa and Rosalie. As they approached the Furzes the field were close together but after Tattenham Corner, Louisa began to increase the pace with May-Day, ridden by Frank Boyce, looking impressive on the higher ground. However, as they crossed the gravel road, May-Day, fell badly throwing Boyce over her head. Day now brought Pussy up to the fore and cut through the remaining field. At the Grand Stand, Day let her out, and Pussy won easily by a length and a half. At stud she produced most of her foals in the ownership of Lord George Bentinck.
An entry in the artist's account book, dated June 1834, records a commission from 'Cosby Esq. Portrait of the Mare Pussey £26.5.0' (see Major Guy Paget, The Melton Mowbray of John Ferneley, Leicester, 1937, p. 143, no. 387).
In the Oaks, run on 30 May 1834, she was quite unfancied and started at the long odds of 20-1. Ridden by 'old John' Day she got off to a bad start, being nearly the last away. The pace was set by Nell Gwynne, leading from Louisa and Rosalie. As they approached the Furzes the field were close together but after Tattenham Corner, Louisa began to increase the pace with May-Day, ridden by Frank Boyce, looking impressive on the higher ground. However, as they crossed the gravel road, May-Day, fell badly throwing Boyce over her head. Day now brought Pussy up to the fore and cut through the remaining field. At the Grand Stand, Day let her out, and Pussy won easily by a length and a half. At stud she produced most of her foals in the ownership of Lord George Bentinck.
An entry in the artist's account book, dated June 1834, records a commission from 'Cosby Esq. Portrait of the Mare Pussey £26.5.0' (see Major Guy Paget, The Melton Mowbray of John Ferneley, Leicester, 1937, p. 143, no. 387).