The Duke Of Rutland’s Bonny Black Held By A Groom At Newmarket by John Wootton

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This one has a good story behind it. The duke of Rutland bought a healthy and swift mare which was winning every game. Moreover, it was ahead of its time, very ahead. Meaning she would defeat the elderly and much more experienced horses in races. For instance, she defeated a 5 years old horse at the age of 3. Thus, this female horse had a huge potential in the future which was perceived quickly by the Duke of Rutland. It was called Bonny Black.

In painting, she is held by a groom, a stable-boy. And as the title says Newmarket was the place the major and important races were held in there. More importantly, Newmarket was the ground where Bonny Black owner challenged all of the other horse-owners to race against Bonny Black four times round the king’s plate. But, out of fear and without any equivalent horses or could be the spineless horse owners; no one came against and accepted the challenge. Thus, the Bonny Black became the ultimate stud without having to race. That was a huge achievement and shows how much potential she had and how much other racers feared or honored Bonny Black’s abilities.

John Wootton has justified the subject with oil on canvas on a large canvas sizing around four by three feet. Currently situated in some one’s private collection, the painting commemorates the grandeur of the mare and its influence on the other rivals. She was declared as a pure bred animal meaning no genealogical mix-ups had happened in her ancestry and that could be a strong reason for her good ability.