§ Raoul Millais (1901-1999)

§ Raoul Millais (1901-1999) Portrait of Abernant (1946-1970) standing in an extensive landscape signed and dated ‘Raoul Millais '57’ (lower right) and inscribed with the name of the horse (lower left) oil on panel 24 x 29cm

Provenance: From the estate of the late Julie Cecil (1942-2022)

The dark-grey stallion Abernant was bred by Catherine Macdonald-Buchanan and raced by her husband, Major Reginald Macdonald-Buchanan. In a career lasting from May 1948 until 1950, Abernant won 14 out of 17 races to the value of £26,394. He is widely considered one of the best sprinters since WWII and his notable wins included the Middle Park Stakes (1948), the King’s Stand Stakes (1949), the July Cup (1949, 1950) and the Nunthorpe Stakes (1949, 1950). Following a successful flat racing career, Abernant went to stud and sired the winners of over 1,000 races. Among the most notable were Abermaid (1962 1,000 Guineas Stakes), Even Star (Irish 1,000 Guineas), Welsh Rake (1963 Queen Anne Stakes), Zahedan (1965 National Stakes) and Thin Ice (Sanford Stakes).

Framed 38 x 43cm Executed in oil on wooden panel. The support and paint layer are in a good, stable condition overall. The painting appears to have locally applied varnish in the darker paint passages which is likely to be part of the artist’s technique. The overall appearance of the painting is good. There is a light layer of surface dirt present including fly spots and dust have built up along the lower edges.