Lot 32: Henri de Lattre (French, 1801-1876)

Henri de Lattre (French, 1801-1876)
The race between Mac and Zachary Taylor at Hunting Park Course, Philadelphia, 18 July 1849
signed and dated 'H. de Lattre 1850' (lower left)
oil on canvas
27¾ x 43¾ in. (70.5 x 111.1 cm.)

New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Life in America, 24 April - 29 October, 1939, no. 151.
Boston, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Sport in American Art, 1944, no. 2.

Harry T. Peters, Currier and Ives, 1929, nos. 14 & 15.
Frederick A. Conningham, Currier and Ives Prints, 1970, no. 3848.

Harry T. Peters, Jun; Christie's, New York, 4 June 1982, lot 95.
with Frost & Reed, Ltd., London.

PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE OF ARTHUR I. APPLETON

Mac, a brown gelding by Morgan Post Boy, out of a mare by Bush Messenger, had a highly successful racing career (1848-1854), beating such greats as Lady Suffolk, Jack Rossiter, Grey Eagle and Tacony.

On 9 November, 1848 at Hunting Park Race Course, Philadelphia, Zachary Taylor, a chestnut gelding by Quimby Messenger, had beaten Grey Eagle in a race under saddle for a purse of $2,000. As a result of this, his backers issued a challenge to the racing world, which culminated in the match race at the same course on 18 July, 1849, for a purse of $500.

Zachary Taylor owned by William King of Philadelphia and ridden by George Young was opposed by Mac, owned by John McArdle of Albany, New York and ridden by Gil Crane. The race which attracted over 50,000 spectators was won by Mac.