Lot 175: Mr Charles Wilson's Chestnut Arabian, held by a groom, beside a classical building

John Wootton (Snitterfield 1682-1764 London) Mr Charles Wilson's Chestnut Arabian, held by a groom, beside a classical building oil on canvas 40¼ x 49¾ in. (102.3 x 126.4 cm.)

Sir Christopher Chancellor, C.M.G; Sotheby's, London, 17 November 1971, lot 113.

THE PROPERTY OF A LADY (LOTS 174 AND 175)


The aristocratic racing community imported a number of Arabian horses to introduce quality and stamina into the native breeds of England. This stallion was bought by the Earl of Kinnoul, British Ambassador in Constantinople, for 200 guineas. He was sold to Charles Wilson, who stood him at Oran, near Catterick in Yorkshire. He sired the famous chestnut mare, Primrose in 1754, who was bred by John Holme of Carlisle and purchased by the Duke of Northumberland for his stud. He was also the sire of the useful racehorse, Narcissus in 1756, from a Cade mare, bred by the Duke of Northumberland. The Duke utilized this stallion several times, also breeding the filly Lais in 1755. The Chestnut Arabian continued to cover at the Wilson's Oran stud until 1761, thereafter he was moved to London and covered in Knightsbridge and Gray's Inn Road for the next two years before disappearing from the records.