James Seymour (London 1702?-1752)

This fine example of Seymour's work shows Traveller, foaled in 1735, by Old Partner, out of a mare by Almanzor (son of the Darley Arabian). Bred and owned by William Osbaldeston of Hunmanby, Yorkshire, Traveller's victories included wins at York, Lincoln, Malton and Oxford. Sold in 1741 to Sir James Harrington, Bt., the following year he was retired to stud at Yarm, Cleveland, where he covered 'the commonest mares', and remained unnoticed until his sons Dainty Davy and Squirrel appeared on the turf. When the latter won 1,400 guineas in a sweepstake for four-year-olds in 1758, it was acknowledged that Traveller would have begotten considerably better stock if he had served the right mares.

Stephen Jefferson was one of the best early jockeys and also trained.