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Lot Essay
This portrait of Lord Lowther's 1831 Derby winner, Spaniel is one of a series of Derby winners painted by Ferneley, a leading early nineteenth century equestrian painter. Spaniel, according to contemporary sources, was said to have 'a hide of silk and a heart of oak'. The former refers to the firmness of his coat, something which is evident in this portrait while the latter was conferred after his unexpected and courageous Derby victory. The portrait of the jockey in the present work, believed to be Wheatley, is of particularly fine quality.
Spaniel, a bay colt, was foaled in 1828 by Whalebone out of a mare by Canopus. He was bred by Lord Egremont at Petworth and was sold across the dinner table for 150 guineas to Lord Lowther, who had asked his host how much he wanted for 'that Whalebone weed'. The high price was connected to the fact that Spaniel was from the same family as two previous Derby winners, Whalebone and Lap-dog.
William Lowther, 2nd Earl of Lonsdale (1787-1872), one of the leading figures of the turf, a legendary owner and breeder whose passion for racing eventually bankrupted him.
Spaniel's form as a two-year old was unspectacular and he ran four times in 1830 under the name of Mr. Rogers without winning. The following year he won a Handicap at the Craven Meeting at Newmarket and then the Shirley Stakes at Epsom, only two days before the Derby. These victories were not of an impressive nature and his starting price in the Derby was 50-1. Lord Jersey's Riddlesworth, winner of the Riddlesworth Stakes, the Two Thousand Guineas, and the Newmarket Stakes, was the strong favourite in a field of 23 runners. A furlong out, Riddlesworth was out in front and as his backers were beginning to count their winnings, he was strongly challenged by Spaniel, who had been third at the entrance to the straight. Under pressure, Riddlesworth fell away and Spaniel, expertly ridden by Wheatley, won comfortably by three parts of a length, to leave the Epsom crowd stunned.
Spaniel's subsequent form was mixed and in 1832 he was sold to Mr. Meyrick who raced him at Haverfordwest, Carmarthen, Brecon and Canterbury.
Spaniel, a bay colt, was foaled in 1828 by Whalebone out of a mare by Canopus. He was bred by Lord Egremont at Petworth and was sold across the dinner table for 150 guineas to Lord Lowther, who had asked his host how much he wanted for 'that Whalebone weed'. The high price was connected to the fact that Spaniel was from the same family as two previous Derby winners, Whalebone and Lap-dog.
William Lowther, 2nd Earl of Lonsdale (1787-1872), one of the leading figures of the turf, a legendary owner and breeder whose passion for racing eventually bankrupted him.
Spaniel's form as a two-year old was unspectacular and he ran four times in 1830 under the name of Mr. Rogers without winning. The following year he won a Handicap at the Craven Meeting at Newmarket and then the Shirley Stakes at Epsom, only two days before the Derby. These victories were not of an impressive nature and his starting price in the Derby was 50-1. Lord Jersey's Riddlesworth, winner of the Riddlesworth Stakes, the Two Thousand Guineas, and the Newmarket Stakes, was the strong favourite in a field of 23 runners. A furlong out, Riddlesworth was out in front and as his backers were beginning to count their winnings, he was strongly challenged by Spaniel, who had been third at the entrance to the straight. Under pressure, Riddlesworth fell away and Spaniel, expertly ridden by Wheatley, won comfortably by three parts of a length, to leave the Epsom crowd stunned.
Spaniel's subsequent form was mixed and in 1832 he was sold to Mr. Meyrick who raced him at Haverfordwest, Carmarthen, Brecon and Canterbury.