AN oil painting of famous British thoroughbred racehorse Touchstone galloped away to the top price at a successful sporting and wildlife auction.

Consigned by a Cheshire collector, the painting by an artist after John Frederick Herring Snr (1795-1865) sold for £1,650  following competitive bidding at Halls Fine Art’s well supported auction in Shrewsbury.

The painting showed Touchstone (1831-‘61) with his jockey wearing the Marquess of Westminster's racing colours.

The thoroughbred racehorse was bred and owned by Robert Grosvenor (1767-1845), 1st Marquess of Westminster, whose country house was at Eaton Hall in Chester.

Touchstone was particularly successful in longer distance races and had significant wins at the Dee Stakes, St Leger Stakes, Doncaster and Ascot Gold Cups. The original version of this painting hangs in the Danum Gallery, Doncaster.

In 1837 Touchstone was retired to stud and became one of the most influential sires of the 19th century, siring three Epson Derby winners. He remained at Eaton until his death and was a regular attraction at the annual Cheshire Agricultural Show.

Abigail Molenaar, the company’s paintings specialist, said: “I was delighted with the prices achieved for the painting of Touchstone, which attracted a lot of local interest and the pair of oils by George Armfield."