Matchem held by his jockey in a landscape oil on canvas 100 x 130cm Footnote: Provenance: Acquired by Algernon Dunn Gardner (1853-1929) from Fores of Piccadilly on 11th March 1919 Matchem was sired by Cade, who stood at Easby Abbey in Yorkshire and out of a mare by Old Partner (see lot 48). As such, he carried outstanding bloodlines on both sides of his pedigree, the Godolphin Arabian on the sire’s side and the Byerley Turk on the dam’s side. A somewhat surprisingly small horse at 14.3 hands, he was however not lacking in keenness, and he had a sound temperament. Having won ten out of his twelve races for his owner William Fenwick of Bywell, Northumberland, in 1759 he was put to stud and went on to sire more than 350 winning stallions. It was possibly his small stature that played a part in his living to the unusually great age of 33, dying at Bywell in 1781. Condition report: Oil on canvas which has been lined, the picture is in plane with good canvas tension. The paint layer is in a stable condition. There are numerous, scattered retouchings across the surface which are well matched to the original. The varnish is clear, even and semi-matte. The frame is in a good condition, there is some wear to the gilding.