Description:

Hall, Harry (British, 1814-1882)
Blue Gown - Winner of the Derby and Ascot Cup, 1868
Oil on canvas, 28" x 36" , Signed, dated 1868

Provenance: Sotheby's, London, March 22, 1972. Christie's, London, March 13, 1977. Literature: Charles Lane, Harry Hall’s Classic Winners, illustrated in color, plate 35. Blue Gown was a British Thoroughbred, celebrated for winning the 1868 Epsom Derby and Ascot Gold Cup. Sired by 1858 Epsom Derby winner Beadsman and out of the mare Bas Bleu, he was bred and owned by Sir Joseph Hawley and trained by John Porter. Blue Gown began his racing career in 1867, winning both the Sunning Hill on debut and the Fern Hill Stakes at Royal Ascot against older horses. He was regrettably disqualified from winning the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster in September, but came back to form, winning the Clearwell Stakes at Newmarket. In 1868, Blue Gown was initially regarded as Hawley’s thirdstring 3-year-old and was therefore not entered in the 2,000 Guineas. After a dead heat with The Earl in the Biennial Stakes at Newmarket, Blue Gown proved his detractors wrong by capturing the Derby at Epsom. In June, Blue Gown won the Ascot Gold Cup and the Fitzwilliam Stakes at Doncaster. That year, he won 11 of his 12 races. Blue Gown continued his dominance in his 4-year-old season winning eight of 10 races, including the Craven Stakes, the Trial Stakes at Epsom, and the Newmarket Biennial. Blue Gown was retired to stud and became a successful sire in Germany, producing several winners before returning to England to stand at Marden Deer Park Stud. In 1880, he was purchased by American horseman James R. Keene for 13,300 pounds, but perished at sea en route to the United States.

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November 13, 2025 4:00 PM EST
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