Thomas Butler

A. Denney, Burton Hall, privately published, 1950 (photographed in the Gun Room)

This remarkable series of ten equestrian portraits are unlined yet still tight on their stretchers. There is craquelure acorss all pictures, in some it is more advanced than in others. The crevasses are not particularly dirty and so do not distract to the overall apppearance. Otherwise the paint surface is in good condition. All text and the coat of arms are remarkably well- preserved and llegible in all but "Bay Bolton", where the pattern of craquelure slightly complicates reading. The delicate hatching in the clothing and tack, and the detail of the conformation and elegant heads are all preserved and finely- executed. Inspection under UV light shows inflling of craquelure and a number of dots of retouching that have slightly discoloured in "Creeping Molly" and "Fearnought". The series is offered in identical frames of black wood, with an inner gold band. There are a small number of knocks to the black frames which require repair. In places there are fine cracks in the gold, which are rather attractive.
"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."

Starling, a grey racehorse, foaled in 1738 by Old Starling out of Ringbone, was bred by Mr Crofts and owned by Mr Martingdale and the Duke of Ancaster. He won a number of races including matches at reading and Oxford in 1743 and at Newmarket, Winchester, Guildford and Salisbury in the following year. He beat Babrahamover 4 miles in 1746.

Bajazet, a bay racehorse, foaled in 1740 by the Earl of Godolphin’s Arabian, was bred by Sir John Dutton and owned by the Earl of March. He beat Russett over 4 miles in 1746, and Babraham and Moorcock in 1748. In 1750 he won matches against Drudge and Tom Thumb.

Carlisle a bay racehorse foaled in 1749 by Bald Galloway, was bred by the Earl of Carlisle and owned by Captain Vernon. He won a number of matches at Huntingdon, Warwick, Bath, Newmarket, Leicester, Spalding and Northampton.

Moorcock, a grey racehorse foaled in 1740 by Blacklegs, was bred by John Hutton and owned by the Earl of Portmore. He won matches at Grantham, Nottingham, Huntingdon, and Epsom. He beat Mr Greswood’s Teaser in 1745 and Mr Grevill’s Blank in 1746.

A set of four, identical in conception to the present group, was sold from the collection of the 5th Earl of Rosebery,  London, Sotheby's, 10 April 1991, lot 149 for £11,000.