Little Wonder, Winner of the Derby Stakes at Epsom 1840 Aquatint by Charles Hancock

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Charles Hancock (around 1800 – 30 July 1877) was a British painter of animals, specialising in equestrian sporting scenes. One … Read more Charles Hancock (around 1800 – 30 July 1877) was a British painter of animals, specialising in equestrian sporting scenes. One of his largest and most recognisable works is the double portrait of two thoroughbreds in a wide landscape, showing Sir Hercules and Thorngrove.

Print Sz: 16 1/2"H x 20 1/2"W

Frame Sz: 24 1/2"H x 28 1/4"W

Aquatint engraving by E. Duncan

Published by R. Ackermann

Little Wonder (1837–1843) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse. In a career that lasted from September 1839 to September 1842 he ran eight times and won only one race. That race, however, was the 1840 Epsom Derby which he won as a 50/1 outsider. Little Wonder was one of the smallest Thoroughbreds to win a major race, standing less than 15 hands high. During his career, there were rumours that he was a "ringer", foaled in 1836 but the allegations were never substantiated. He was briefly retired after being injured in a race in 1842 and died of colic in 1843 while still in training. See less