Lot 330: WILLIAM TASKER (1808-1852) Vulcan with John Day

WILLIAM TASKER (1808-1852) Vulcan with John Day Jnr up, signed and dated 1843, 15 1/2" x 21 1/2" (see illustration). Note: Vulcan was a famous staying handicapper of the early 1840s, bred in Ireland by his owner Mr R Holmes. Between May and September 1842 the five year old won six races including the prestigious Tradesman's Cup at Liverpool and other valuable prizes at Goodwood, Shrewsbury, Hereford, Warwick and Gloucester. The jockey John Day Jnr (1819-1883) was Lestor Piggott's great great grandfather. Day was the third generation of an extraordinary racing dynasty that stretches from the early 18th century right through to the current day. Day Jnr was so called to distinguish himself from his father also John Day who rode a dozen classic winners and trained seven more. Amazingly Day Jnr repeated the feats himself riding the St Leger winner of 1844 and then handling no less than twelve classic winners.