This charming 19th-century English school oil painting depicts ‘Vauban’, the Duke of Beaufort's dark bay colt.

In 1867, Vauban famously won the 2000 guineas at Newmarket, run over a distance of one mile. First held in 1809, by the mid-1860s, it was considered one of Britain’s most illustrious races for three-year-olds. A report in the Bristol Mercury detailed the drama as it unfolded. Vauban was 5 to 2 against.

“A slight delay at the post preceded the actual start, which was attended by some thousands of eager visitors, and shortly after they were seen nearly in a line widely spread across the course, but before they had proceeded a dozen strides Uncas quitted his horses, and, with Pericles in attendance, came on with the running, the pair acting as pioneers for their respective favourites, in order to insure a true pace.

To these succeeded Marksman by himself on the lower ground, having the favourite, Jalino, Trocadero, Star of India, Owain Gleadwyr, Plaudit, and the Maid of Masham colt on his whip hand, and on their right were seen the colours of Van Amburgh, the Miss Sarah colt, and Mandrake, Knight of the Garter holding alone to himself on the upper ground, Ravioli, who appeared to have got off but indifferently, bringing up the rear.

They ran thus for a quarter of a mile, when Uncas, having performed his allotted task, disappeared from the front, leaving Pericles in advance, and who led them along at a cracking pace, the effects of which became visible as they neared the ending post, the leader being the next to succumb, and immediately after Plaadit, whom Snowden had been riding for some distance, was noticed to give way, and shortly before they reached the ‘bashes-hill’ his retirement was announced by the occupants of the stand, followed in a few strides farther by Mandrake, the Miss Sarah colt, and Huntsman.

As they came over the brow of the bill, Vauban drew up to Marksman, the pair being closely attended by Julius, Trocadero, Star of India, Van Amburgh, Knight of the Garter, and the Maid of Masham colt nearly in a line, but as they came down the hill Castance brought Captain Machell's colt nearer the front, and as they entered the Abingdon Mile Bottom he was upside with Julius, Vauban, and Markeman; the latter, however, was seen to give way to Vauban, who, with Knight of the Garter, came on with the running, Marksman going on third, with Julius and Trocadero next.

Halfway up the hill Julius was disposed of, leaving the issue with the three, Vauban, who gradually drew away as they came on, stalling off the challenge of Knight of the Garter, and winning very cleverly by two lengths, Marksman finishing a head only from the Knight, close up with whom came Juline fourth, Trocadero fifth, Star of India sixth, Van Amburgh seventh, with the Maid of Masham colt and Plaudit, side by side next. Then came, at wide intervals, Owain Glyndwyr, Raviola, Hantaman, Pericles, the Miss Sarah colt, and Mandrake last.”

Held within a simple period frame, which is probably original.

Medium: Oil on board
Overall size: 11½” x 9½” / 29cm x 24cm
Year of creation: c. 1870
Labels & Inscriptions: Title label on reverse.
Provenance: Private collection, UK.
Condition: Assessed and approved by our conservator. Cleaned. Frame with signs of age.
Our reference: BRV1839