JOHN FERNELEY SENIOR (THRUSSINGTON 1782-1860)

Dangerous, a rich chestnut colt with a white star, by Tramp out of Defiance, was bred and owned by Isaac Sadler. Ferneley’s portrait of horse and jockey was undoubtedly painted to celebrate the biggest win of his racing career, the 1833 Derby. Ridden by Jem Chapple at odds of 30-1 the race did not announce itself well for Sadler’s horse. After the race Chapple explained that his mount had been lame at the start and that ‘he would not have given a pint of porter for his chance’. However, the stiffness wore off during the race, although Dangerous was lame again as soon as he was pulled up, and he never raced again. For a while after this he was at stud near Cheltenham, and then in 1835 he was exported to France where he was used as a Government sire.