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Ferneley, John Sr. (British, 1782-1860) Priam with Sam Day up and the Epsom Grandstand Beyond Oil on canvas, 34" x 42" , Signed, dated 1830, Melton Mowbray Literature: Major G. Paget, The Melton Mowbray of John Ferneley, 1782–1860, 1931, page 139, number 321. According to the artist’s account books, W. Chiffney Esq. of Newmarket paid, in June 1830, 20 gns. for a painting of this subject and a further 15 gns. for a replica. Priam (1827–1847) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and celebrated sire, known for his impressive racing record and lasting influence on bloodlines in both Britain and the United States. Bred in Sussex by Sir John Shelley, Priam was sired by the Derbywinning stallion Emilius and stood 15.3 hands high. He was purchased as a yearling for 1,000 guineas by William Chifney, who co-owned him alongside his brother, the renowned jockey Sam Chifney, and Maximilian Dilly. Although he did not race as a 2-year-old, Priam’s talent became clear the following year. His racing career lasted from April 1830 to July 1832, during which he ran 19 times and claimed 17 victories, four of them walkovers. His 1830 season was particularly dominant, as he won seven of eight starts, including his most notable triumph: the Epsom Derby. Priam’s debut came in April 1830 at Newmarket in the Riddlesworth Stakes, a race of near-classic status at the time. Despite a recent illness, he won impressively, defeating Mahmoud. Just two days later, he took the Column Stakes in a close finish, showing both resilience and agility. Two uncontested wins followed at the First Spring Meeting, as all other entrants withdrew, allowing Priam to walk over and collect valuable prize money. At Epsom, Priam started as the 4/1 favorite in a Derby field of 23 runners. The race was delayed by a string of false starts and run under heavy rain, yet Priam overcame a poor break and surged late under jockey Sam Day to win by two lengths. The Chifneys reportedly earned Åí12,000 in wagers on the victory. In June of that year, Priam easily won a Sweepstakes at Ascot, and in September he was walked 130 miles to Doncaster for the St. Leger. Racing on heavy, rain-soaked ground, Priam was narrowly defeated by a length by Birmingham, a colt better suited to the soft conditions. However, he rebounded just two days later, winning a Åí500 match race against Retriever, who went on to win the Doncaster Cup. Priam also secured another walkover in the Gascoigne Stakes during the same meeting. In his 4-year-old season (1831), Priam returned to Newmarket, winning both the Craven Stakes and Port Stakes. Soon after, he was sold for 3,000 guineas to George Stanhope, 6th Earl of Chesterfield, and placed in the care of trainer John Kent. He continued his winning ways, beating Lucetta, an Ascot Gold Cup winner, in a high-profile match race. Later that summer, he claimed the Goodwood Cup, besting past champions including Fleur de Lis and Variation. In October, he walked over for the Newmarket Cup when Lucetta was withdrawn, and later defeated Augustus. In 1832, as a 5-year-old, Priam returned to the Craven meeting at Newmarket but suffered his first loss since 1830, finishing third in the Craven Stakes behind Chapman and Captain Arthur. He quickly rebounded at the following Newmarket meeting in May, winning a King’s Plate by defeating his old rival, Lucetta. Priam continued his strong form into June, winning the Eclipse Foot at Ascot over two and a half miles, beating his half-brother Sarpedon. In July, he contested his second Goodwood Cup. Entering as the even-money favorite, he carried a heavy 139 pounds and still managed to defeat a strong field, including Beiram and Derby winner St. Giles, who finished fourth. Following these victories, Priam was retired to stud, skipping three planned races in October. He initially stood at Lord Chesterfield’s Bretby Park at a fee of 30 guineas. In 1835, he was sold for 3,500 guineas to Dr. A. T. B. Merritt and exported to Virginia, where he covered more than 100 mares at 50 guineas each. He later stood in Tennessee and finally at Belle Meade Stud, where he died in 1847. As his British offspring began to excel, efforts were made— unsuccessfully—to bring him back to England. Admired for his class, stamina, and toughness, Priam was regarded as one of the finest racehorses of his time. Upon retirement, he proved equally valuable at stud, siring successful offspring on both sides of the Atlantic and leaving a lasting mark on Thoroughbred breeding history.