AFTER JOHN FREDERICK HERRING (1795-1865) BEESWING, IN A STABLE Oil on canvas, period gilt frame, 42.5 x 59.5cm. * Beeswing, a bay mare by Dr Syntax out of Ardrossan, was a legendary racehorse. She won the 1835 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, and the Newcastle St. Leger the following year. She won the Gold Cup at Doncaster on four occasions: 1837, 1840, 1841 and 1842. Widely regarded as the finest mare in Britain in her day, she won thirty one races in all and led the 1842 Ascot Gold Cup all the way from start to finish. This was to be her final race but she was retired to stud where she proved to be an excellent brood mare. This subject is probably derived from Charles Hunt's aquatint of 1842. ++ Lined; some associated retouching; some craquelure and a little thin in places