Here, Scuttle, King George V's bay racehorse, stands in a landscape; his reins held by a young groom with a saddlecloth; on the right a jockey, possibly Joe Childs (1884-1958), in royal colours, holding a saddle and crop. In 1928 Scuttle won the One Thousand Guineas at Newmarket, ridden by Childs. This painting was presumably commissioned by King George V in honour of that win. The horse was bred at Sandringham; sired by Captain Cuttle, the 1922 Derby Winner, and born to Stained Glass on 5 April 1925.

Lynwood Palmer was a self-taught artist who had a passion for horses. He never exhibited his work, painting exclusively for private patrons, notably the 6th Duke of Portland (1857-1943), the Countess of Warwick (1861-1938) and King George V (1865-1936). He was probably influenced by the artist James Ward (1769-1859) who gives his horses a similar nervous, highly-strung character often supported by an intense and dramatic landscape background (see RCINs 405017, 402008). In 1927 he recounted that the 'secret of painting race-horses lies in quickness. Their movements are so alert, they are so full of nervous energy, that the artist has to have a hand like a streak of lightning to catch the pose while it lasts.'

The Royal Collection holds three other paintings by the artist (RCINs 406541, 402434, 407323).