Before a flight of steps at Windsor Castle, a groom in royal livery of red coat and top hat, stands holding the reins of two saddle horses, his face hidden by their heads; the grey stands before the chestnut, both in profile to the left

The Duchess of Kent, Queen Victoria’s mother, gave her daughter this painting as a birthday present. She recorded in her Journal: ‘I gave Victoria a pretty picture of 2 of her favourite saddle horses. The picture was done by Mr Herring’. Herring was a stage-coach driver turned animal painter and produced several portraits of horses in the Royal Collection. In this painting two recently arrived Arab horses, Tajar (the grey) and Hammon (the chestnut) are held by a groom at Windsor Castle. Tajar belonged to Prince Albert, was acquired in 1844 and was often ridden by the Queen. He had been reared in Mecklenburg, Germany, by Count Hahn. He died in 1856. Hammon was bred by the King of Prussia and given to the Queen by him in 1844. He lived 27 years and died in 1861.

The painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1845 with the title Favourites.

Signed and dated: J. F. Herring. Sen.r 1845.