Benjamin Killingbeck (fl. 1769-1783)

Dormant, was a top class horse and this is likely to be the only painting depicting him. He is shown here ridden by a groom in the pea-green livery of the Earls of Upper Ossory, approaching the King's Stables, with the winning post at the Beacon Course beyond.


Killingbeck's racing scenes mostly depict Newmarket. Based primarily in London, many of the horses he painted were racehorses including those belonging to the Earl of Eglington and the Marquess of Rockingham. He painted Mr. Tattersall's famous 'High Flyer' in 1783, also depicted by Stubbs. About 1776, he worked for Lord Rockingham who had quarrelled with Stubbs, and who turned to Killingbeck to paint his horses. It is recorded that he was paid 10 guineas for 'Brood Mares and Foals'. Sally Mitchell notes, 'Killingbeck's horse portraiture is really quite fluent. He pays fine attention to finish and detail.' (The Dictionary of Equestrian Artists, Woodbridge, 1985, p. 295).