The chestnut filly, Anonyma, was foaled in 1877 by Ploughboy out of Mare. At two years old she won the Ebbisham Stakes at Epsom on 29^th May, and was subsequently sold to Count Jaraczewski for 400 guineas. This painting presumably represents the race at Newmarket on the 2^nd July, 1879 in which Anonyma, ridden by Gallon, won a Selling Plate of 100 guineas. The jockey's colours appear to correspond to those of Count Jaraczewski - a yellow, brown cap with gold tassel and braid.

 

By October 1879 Anonyma had passed into the ownership of Lord Marcus Beresford, who may have been acting for the Prince of Wales. Beresford was to become the Racing and Stud Manager to the Prince of Wales, when the Stud was established at Sandringham in 1886. It is conceivable that the painting was a gift from the Count at the time of the sale. Anonyma's last appearance was at Croydon on the 19^th October, when she again ran in Beresford's colours. She did not race in England after 1880; in 1881 she was sold and exported to France as a broodmare.

 

George Arnull, equestrian artist, was born at Newmarket, great-grandson of the multiple Derby winning jockey, John Arnull and part of a celebrated racing family. He grew up among horses and horse racing, and his works record many of the great winners of the principal races in the late nineteenth century and the racecourses they ran on. In 1870 he met Henri-d'Orleans, Duc d'Aumale (1822-1897) who had lived in exile in England since 1848 (see RCIN 405450). The Duc d'Aumale shared his love of horses and afterwards became patron to Arnull, who accompanied him on his return to Chantilly in 1871. He married Elizabeth Hubbard at the British Embassy in Paris in 1871 and they had four children. The family lived in Avenue Montespan, Paris, where he had his studio. In 1880 Arnull exhibited an equestrian painting at the Paris Salon. He died at S. Valery en Caen, Normandy and is buried at Chantilly.

A painting by Arnull entitled Sir John Astley, on 'Drummond' beating Mr C Alexander, on 'Briglia' was recorded at Buckingham Palace in 1909.