A Bay racehorse being rubbed down at Newmarket oil on canvas 95 x 124cm Footnote: Provenance: Acquired by Algernon Dunn Gardner (1853-1929) from Fores of Piccadilly on 13th November 1913 as incorrectly of Flying Childers for £180 and thence by descent Exhibited: London, 144 Piccadilly, 'In Aid of the London Foot Hospital, The Loan Exhibition of Sporting Pictures held at 144 Piccadilly, W.I., by kind permission of Viscount Allendale', 6th Feb to 20th Feb 1931 The present horse, prior to cleaning in the 1980s, had had its four ‘socks’ repainted to be irregular, as were those on Flying Childers. Also that animal, considered the first great thoroughbred racehorse of the 18th Century, did not have a long white blaze. The fact the present horse is likewise a bay and has four white ‘socks’ – though now regular in height - may suggest it is a son of Flying Childers. Condition report: Oil on canvas which has been lined. The thin passages of paint have suffered from wear and damage . There is extensive retouching across the surface, especially in the sky, which is fairly well matched to the original. The varnish is clear, even and semi-matte. The frame is in a good condition.