William and Henry Barraud

Frederic Glyn, 4th Lord Wolverton (1864–1932), Queensberry House, Newmarket;
By descent to the Clarendon Family.

ENGRAVED
J. Harris, in 1847, as part of the series of ‘Fores’s Celebrated Winners’.

The canvas has a firm relining, the paint surface is dirty and the varnish is quite discoloured. There is an area of restoration in the horse's lower flank (visible in the catalogue illustration), measuring approx. 1 by 2 cm. There are also small spot retouchings around the white markings on the horse's back. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals these, as well as minor spot retouchings in the sky, centre, and in the grass, lower left. There is some minimal, sensitively-executed retouching to reduce the appearance of craquelure in the body of the horse and the coat of the groom holding its bridle. In overall good condition.
"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."

The Hero (bred in 1834, by Chesterfield out of Grace Darling, by Defence), is depicted flanked by his jockey, Alfred Day (wearing the Day colours), and at the far right, Alfred’s father John Day who both owned and trained the horse. His initials JD are visible on the horse’s blanket on the ground. John Day trained at Danebury, near Stockbridge, in Hampshire. In 1846 the colt won eleven of his twelve races, and in 1847, the year of Barrauds' painting, The Hero won the first of his two Ascot Gold Cups. At this time, however, the race had been renamed The Emperor’s Plate in honour of the Russian Emperor Nicholas I. The Hero’s final career record was twenty six wins from thirty one races and total prize money of £5,565, equivalent to nearly half a million pounds today.