Alfred Wheeler (1851-1932)

Alfred Wheeler (1851-1932) St. Simon with jockey up signed lower left and inscribed with the name of the horse oil on canvas 34.5 x 45cm One of the greatest racehorses of all time, St. Simon was foaled in 1881 by Galopin out of St. Angela. He was owned by the Duke of Portland and trained by Matthew Dawson. He was undefeated in all nine of his races, including the Ascot Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup and Epsom Gold Cup. On retiring from racing and being put to stud, St Simon was awarded leading sire in Britain & Ireland from 1890-1896, and 1900-1901, and leading broodmare sire in Britain & Ireland between 1903 and 1907, and again in 1916. He produced the winners of over 500 races, and his most notable offspring included Memoir, Semolina, La Fleche, Mrs Butterwick, Amiable, Persimmon, St Frusquin, Diamond Jubilee, La Roche and Winifreda. Unlined. Paint layer is stable. Canvas tension is good. Minor surface dirt and discoloured varnish. Under UV, scattered retouchings which appear to have discoloured particularly left of the horse the in the sky area and beneath the jockey's foot. Framed 60 x 70cm