1770s
Oil on canvas, 64 x 76 cm
Private collection
The painting depicts the chestnut racehorse "Eclipse" by the rubbing-down house at Newmarket with groom and stable-lad. Eclipse was an outstanding, undefeated 18th-century British thoroughbred racehorse who won 18 races. After retiring from racing he became a very successful sire. 95% of Thoroughbreds racing today carry Eclipse's genes. His skeleton is preserved at the National Racing Museum at Newmarket.
