With more Classic Winners than anyone in the history of racehorse training, John Scott (1794-1871) was known as ‘The Wizard of the North’.  He still holds the record today of training five Derby winners, eight Oaks, seven 2000 Guineas, three 1000 Guineas and an amazing 16 St Legers. He trained for Lord Derby and Lord Falmouth, entertained Prime Ministers at his Malton stables and gave the definitive opinion on most subjects within his field (see "Fairfax-Blakeborough's Malton Memories and I‘Anson’s Triumphs”).  One of the horses he trained was a filly called Cyprian, who won the 1836 Oaks.  After the race he then walked her from the Epsom Downs all the way to Newcastle-on-Tyne where she went on to win the Northumberland Plate.

In Tennants Auctioneers Autumn Catalogue Sale (23-24 November) there will be three important paintings relating to John Scott:

“Cyprian”

An oil painting by the artist, Harry Hall (1814-1882) of "Cyprian", by Partisan out of Frailty, winner of the 1836 Oaks, trained by John Scott, ridden by W. Scott.  At the time of the painting Cyprian was in foal. The painting is signed and dated "1855” and is estimated to sell for £7,000-£9,000.

In the same lot is a fascinating book by M.C.(J) Fairfax-Blakeborough, entitled "Malton Memories and I'Anson Triumphs" inscribed "Being the Sporting History of Malton from Earliest Times to the Present Day together with The Lives and Times of the Scotts, I'Ansons, and other Trainers, Jockeys, and Gentlemen Riders" published by Truslove & Bray Ltd in 1925. The book includes many entries discussing the life and times of John Scott "Wizard of the North".

“John Scott"

An oil painting entitled "John Scott" on Horseback on the gallops at Malton with Huntsmen and Foxhounds, with the Young Sir Tatton Sykes on his Pony Nearby. It was painted in the manner of John Francis Sartorious (1775-d.circa 1831) and is estimated to sell for £3,000-£4,000.

“John Scott of Whitewall Malton”

A miniature watercolour portrait of "John Scott of Whitewall Malton” from the English School (19th century). The portrait is contained within its original 19th century elaborately decorated gilt plaster frame enclosed within a velvet lined mahogany and glazed box and is estimated to sell for £800 - £1,200.

These three paintings have been in private hands for generations and are now being sold by a private individual.  Originally from Helmsley, North Yorkshire, the vendor inherited them from his father, a solicitor in York, who was extremely interested in the racing world.

"Mares and Foals Near a Thatched Barn" by James Barenger

Another important painting in this sale is by James Barenger (1780-1831) entitled "Mares and Foals near a Thatched Barn".  It is signed and dated "1816” with provenance: Ex. collection the second Baron Gretton, of Stapleford Park, Leicestershire and is expected to sell for £25,000 - £35,000.  It comes from a private vendor in Rutland whose parents originally had the picture hanging in their homes in London and later Stamford, Lincolnshire.

Barenger was one of the leading lights of early 19th Century Sporting Painting, whose patrons included the Earl of Derby, the Duke of Grafton and the Marquis of Londonderry. Barenger’s main patron was a Mr Tattersall of Hyde Park Corner, London. One of the most important paintings that the artist produced was the Earl of Derby’s “Stag Hounds”.  A number of prints were published after this work. The example in this sale is a charming rendition of horses and their foals in a very typical romanticised English landscape which would, no doubt, have appealed greatly to the early 19th Century collector.

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Lot 961 "Cyprian"

Lot 960 "John Scott"

Lot 729 "Protrait of John Scott of Whitehall Malton"

Lot 982 "Mares and Foals"