Lot 335: Thomas Spencer 1700-1767 , Portrait of Flying Childers held by a groom, a view of Newmarket beyond

oil on canvas

measurements note 100 by 125 cm., 39½ by 49 in.

Haughton Hall, Shropshire

Known as 'the fastest horse that was ever bred in the world" Flying Childers was bred by Colonel Leonard Childers of Cantley Hall, Doncaster in Yorkshire. He was sired by the Darley Arabian out of Betty Leedes. The Darley Arabian was foaled in 1700 and brought from Aleppo by Thomas Darley. Together with the Godolphin Arabian and the Byerley Turk, each of these stallions founded enduring bloodlines from which by the male line, all modern thoroughbreds in the world descend. Collectively they have become known as the three pillars of stud book. It is no surprise, therefore, that with such a sire, Flying Childers became one of the greatest racehorses in the history of the thoroughbred. He was foaled in 1714 with a blaze and four white stockings. He grew to 15.2 hands and was sold to the Duke of Devonshire. He became known alternately as Devonshire Childers, or Flying Childers. Flying Childers first raced at the age of six. In 1721 he ran in three races, and won them all, including a race at Newmarket in which he defeated the Duke of Bolton's Speedwell in a match over the four miles on the Round Course at Newmarket in six minutes and forty seconds, carrying 9st and 2lbs. The following year Flying Childers won a race at Newmarket, defeating Chaunter, and in 1723 he made his final two starts. The Duke of Devonshire was often offered great sums of money for Flying Childers, including an offer of the horse?s weight in gold crowns. These were all refused, and Flying Childers retired to stud at the Dukes of Devonshire?s estate at Chatsworth.