Lot 260: THOMAS ROWLANDSON (LONDON 1756-1827)

THOMAS ROWLANDSON (LONDON 1756-1827)
The Jockey Mrs Thornton
inscribed ‘Mrs Thornton in the/ Dress she rode in at York (lower left)
pencil, pen and watercolour on paper
20.9 x 15.1cm (8 1/4 x 5 15/16in).

Provenance
With Sidney Sabin, London, where purchased by the present owner’s
family
Mrs Thornton is believed to have raced at York twice. In 1804 she rode
19 year old Vinagrillo and was beaten by Mr Flint’s Brown Thornville
when her elderly horse broke down. In the following year, 1805, Mrs
Thornton appeared as a jockey again at York on Col. Thornton’s
Louisa. She beat the great jockey F. Buckle, riding Allegro, in front of
a large crowd. It is reported that she rode side saddle in a purple coat
and a nankeen skirt.
Thomas Rowlandson’s Mrs Thornton Riding at York was offered at
Freemans, Philadelphia on 3 June 2012, lot 36.