Description
Ambush II was owned by the Prince of Wales — the future Edward VII, and won the 1900 Grand National. Cicero (1902–1923) was the best English two-year-old of 1904, winning all five of his races as well as setting a race record as winner of the 1905 Epsom Derby. The following year, Spearmint broke Cicero’s record when he won the 1906 Epsom Derby, then became the first British horse in 20 years to win France’s most important race, the Grand Prix de Paris. He became a successful breeding stallion, siring major winners in Europe and the United States. St. Amant was bred by his owner, Leopold de Rothschild. After winning the Epsom Derby of 1904, the rest of that season was disappointing. He returned to form in 1905, winning the valuable Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket, a “resurrection” partly attributed to a cat that had become his constant companion and apparently soothed his temperament.
Ambush II titled lower right and signed and dated lower left “C.A.L. Richards. 1906.”
Cicero titled lower right and signed and dated lower left “C.A.L. Richards. 1906.”
Spearmint titled lower left and signed and dated lower right “C.A.L. Richards. 1906.”
St. Amant titled lower left and signed and dated lower right “C.A.L. Richards. 1906.”
Little is known about the artist, other than another extant painting of a racehorse with groom, dated 1905.
References:
“Cicero (horse).” Wikipedia. 28 October 2017. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicero_(horse) (23 January 2018).
“Spearmint (horse).” Wikipedia. 28 October 2017. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spearmint_(horse) (23 January 2018).
“St Amant: a horse of character.” The Rothschild Archive. 2009-2018. https://www.rothschildarchive.org/collections/treasure_of_the_month/st_amant_a_horse_of_character (22 January 2018).
