James Seymour

Anonymous sale (The Property of a Gentleman), London, Sotheby's, 20th November 1985, lot 101;
With Richard Green, London, by May 1986

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be good condition, with no extant damage or loss of paint except for some minor flaking lower right. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals scattered infilling to craquelure and minor retouching in the sky. There is also retouching down the right hand edge of the canvas, and retouching to an old diagonal tear, approximately four inches between the horse's legs. FRAME Held in a carved and gilded British Baroque style frame. To speak to a specialist about this lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on +44 (0)207 293 5482, or at julian.gascoigne@sothebys.com, or Ludo Shaw Stewart on +44 (0)207 293 5816, or at ludovic.shawstewart@sothebys.com.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Bred by Georges Bowes of Gibside in 1748, by Regulus, in 1752 Cato won the Maid Plate at Doncaster. The following year he won the King's Plate at Newcastle, watched by a crowd of 50,000 people, and the Subscription Purse at York, ridden by Thomas Jackson. Sold to Lord Onslow for 350 guineas, in 1754 he won the King's Plate at Guildford, Salisbury, Canterbury, Winchester and Lewes. Cato was later sold to Lord Rockingham, one of the most important racehorse owners and art patrons of the age, for whom he won at Ascot Heath in 1755, and the following year triumphed in both the first and second Spring Meetings at Newmarket. In the autumn he beat the Duke of Cumberland's Crab at Newmarket and as a consequence Cumberland subsequently bought the horse.  Cato continued to have a successful career until 1761 when he was retired to stud at Newmarket, siring a number of successful winners.