Oil Painting Race Horse Craig An Eran By Walter Herbert Wheeler 1878-1960

This exquisite British oil painting, "Race Horse Craig and Eran" by Walter Herbert Wheeler (1878-1960), is a fine example of sporting art from the early 20th century. The work features a stunningly rendered horse, triumphant after winning at the Newmarket. With lush brushstrokes and a vivid color palette, this painting is sure to be the centerpiece of any collection.

Title "Craig an Eran" (Winner of the 2000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket).

Subject beautiful portrait of the known British thoroughbred brown bay hunter race horse Craig an Eran in quarter length front facing left, the horse look so exceptionally well groomed loved and is so content.

Oil on board.

Signed in the bottom corner W.H.Wheeler by the known British artist Walter Herbert Wheeler also name of the horse is also inscribed on the lower front. 

Set in a traditional original oak frame.

Circa early 20th century Edwardian era 1900's.

This is an early fine example of his work.

Provenance label verso.

A nice small size with the frame being 23 cm width and 32 cm high. 

Artist biography Walter Herbert Wheeler was from the known Wheeler family of artists who specialised in sporting works of art. Walter loved to paint animals like dogs and sometimes horses. He Exhibited a small selection of his works In London and is also known to have exhibited at the Royal Academy. His known works have sold in auctions around the world, the highest recorded sold price was for just over £3,000 Pounds Sterling at Bonhams. 

Craig an Eran (1918 – 1945) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He failed to win as a two-year-old but improved to become one of the best in England in 1921. He won the 2000 Guineas, St James's Palace Stakes and Eclipse Stakes as well as finishing second in the Epsom Derby and fourth in the St Leger. After his retirement from racing he became a successful breeding stallion whose offspring included April the Fifth and Mon Talisman. Craig an Eran was a bay horse bred in the United Kingdom by his owner Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor. He was sent into training with Alec Taylor, Jr. at his stable at Manton, Wiltshire.

He was from the sixth crop of foals sired by Sunstar who won the 2000 Guineas and the Epsom Derby in 1911 before his career was ended by injury. Craig an Eran's dam Maid of the Mist was a daughter of Sceptreand an influential broodmare in her own right, who also produced the Epsom Oaks winner Sunny Jane. Her other descendants have included Buchan, Commanche Run, Full Dress, Swiftfoot and One in a Million.

His Stud record Craig an Eran remained in training as a four-year-old but in April 1922 it was decided to retire the colt from racing and put him to stud at fee of 250 guineas. He was employed a breeding stallion in England, before moving to France. The best of his offspring included April the Fifth, Mon Talisman and the Grand Prix de Paris winner Admiral Drake. Craig an Eran was euthanised on 22 October 1945. His breeder Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor, his owner 2nd Viscount Astor & trainer Alex Taylor Jr His major wins where 2000 Guineas in 1921, St James’s Palace Stakes in 1921 and Eclipse Stakes in 1921 his earnings where £15,345

Reference sources 1.  "Craig an Eran pedigree". Equineline. 2."Turf Notes". Auckland Star. 29 October 1921. p. 18 – via Papers Past. 3, Mortimer, Roger; Onslow, Richard; Willett, Peter (1978). Biographical Encyclopedia of British Flat Racing. Macdonald and Jane's. ISBN 0-354-08536-0. 4. "Lily Agnes - Family 16-h". Thoroughbred Bloodlines. Retrieved 2013-08-30. 5. "Racing World". Auckland Star. 30 April 1921. p. 12 – via Papers Past. 6.     "English Racing". Evening Post (New Zealand). 2 May 1921. p. 2 – via Papers Past. 7. Morris, Tony; Randall, John (1999). A Century of Champions. Portway Press. ISBN 1-901570-15-0. 8. "Sporting". New Zealand Herald. 25 May 1921. p. 9 – via Papers Past. 9."Sporting". The Press. 3 June 1921. p. 8 – via Papers Past.10.     Abelson, Edward; Tyrrel, John (1993). The Breedon Book of Horse Racing Records. Breedon Books Publishing. ISBN 978-1-873626-15-3. 11. "Sporting". The Press. 28 June 1921. p. 11 – via Papers Past. 12. "English Racing". Evening Post (New Zealand). 16 July 1921. p. 5 – via Papers Past.13. "Sporting". New Zealand Herald. 9 September 1921. p. 3 – via Papers Past. 14."Sporting". New Zealand Herald. 10 September 1921. p. 9 – via Papers Past. 15."Turf Notes". Auckland Star. 5 November 1921. p. 18 – via Papers Past. 16. "Sporting". Lake Wakatip Mail. 15 August 1922. p. 4 – via Papers Past. 17.Weatherby (1949). "Obituary of Stallions". The General Stud Book. 31: 1169.
Such a delightful scene to the eye. 

Highly sought after due to the collectible animal nature of subject matter such elaborate detail. 

With hanging thread on the back ready for immediate home wall display. 

Condition report. 

Offered in fine used condition. 

Condition report overall in good condition. There is craquelure & some foxing stains also some touch ups in places, the frame has general wear, scuffs, scratches, stains minor losses commensurate with usage & old age.

International buyers worldwide shipping is available please ask for a quote.