George Robert Leftwich (British, 1846-1929) oil painting of the royal racehorse Persimmon

George Robert Leftwich (British, 1846-1929) oil painting of the Prince of Wales's racehorse Persimmon,
signed and inscribed ‘Newmarket’, portrayed on Newmarket Heath with jockey John Watts up in the Royal Colours, 41 by 52cm., framed, overall 58 by 68cm., tears to canvas, very little in the way of paint loss

The Prince of Wales's Persimmon was a bay colt by St Simon out of Perdita II. He won 7 of his 9 races including the Derby, St Leger, Gold Cup at Ascot and Eclipse Stakes. He later became champion sire on four occasions. The best of his progeny was the outstanding filly Sceptre. Persimmon is commemorated by a life-size statue at the Royal Stud at Sandringham.

Relating to the Royal Jockey John Watts (1861-1902) and the jockey Kempton Cannon (1879-1951). The connection between the two jockeys being that Watts's widow married Cannon.

Provenance: by family descent.