John Wootton (1686 - 1764) The Bloody-Shouldered Arabian Oil...

Hammer

£40,000

John Wootton (1686 - 1764)
The Bloody-Shouldered Arabian
Oil on canvas
Inscribed below, 'Bred by Lord Oxford in 1755 & Sire of many famous Racers, including the Duke of Bolton's 'Sweepstakes'

The Bloody-Shouldered Arabian (a.k.a. Lord Oxford's Bloody-Shouldered Arabian, Bassett's Lord Oxford Bloody-Shouldered Arabian), so-called because of the red markings on his right shoulder, was imported into England at the end of 1719 or early in 1720. It's doubtful the Bloody-Shouldered Arabian ever ran a race, but he was a popular and successful sire in Lord Oxford's stud, held in "high repute." He sired the good chestnut racehorse Sweepstakes, and through a daughter was progenitor of Lord Rockingham's Whistlejacket, made famous by Stubb's portrait. Wootton, who was the pre-eminent painter of sporting subjects in the first half of the 18th century, painted several portraits of the horse, made easily recognisable by his red marking.

Property of a Lady

Dimensions:
(Canvas) 34 in. (H) x 50.75 in. (W)
(Frame) 41 in. (H) x 58 in. (W)