Benjamin Herring was the youngest son of J F Herring senior (1795-1865). It is thought that Benjamin helped his father on many of his pictures from the late 1850s onwards.
‘Sporting Intelligence’ in The Times on 23rd October 1867 reported on the
Cambridgeshire Handicap Stakes in the Victorian style that we are not familiar with today;
‘The 33 competitors assembled at the post shortly after
the time set down, but in consequence of the fractiousness of Jeune Premiere, Wolsey, Blinkhoolie and Julius,
the start was delayed some time, which was further extended through Julius
flinging out and striking Cannon severely on the knee and foot; in a third
attempt he landed one on the ribs of Harry
Brailsford [Cannon’s horse]. Fortunately the horse [Julius] was not placed, otherwise the effects would have been
serious to both horse and rider.
Sufficient time having been allowed for Cannon to recover
from the shock, they were again got to the post and despatched to an admirable
start, the lot leaving the starter in an extended line, which they retained
unbroken for the first 50 yards. The running was then taken up by Wolsey, closely attended by Knight of the Garter, Lozenge, Wroughton and Actaea on the upper ground, with Lancret,
Honesty, Leases, Captain Kidd, the
Strafford colt, Corporal, and Nu occupying
the centre. To these succeeded Blinkhoolie,
the Attack colt, Montaguard, Julius, Cecrops, Grey Stocking and Armourer on the left. Adam
Bede, Nancy and William Tell
being in the extreme rear.
In these positions they streamed across the flat , but on
commencing the ascent of the hill, Kenyon steadied his horse [Wolsey], which allowed Knight of the Garter to appear in
advance, closely followed by Lozenge,
Lancret, Honesty and Actaea, to
half-way up the hill, where he gave way, and Wolsey again resumed the command in company with Lozenge, Honesty and Lancret nearly
abreast. Actaea at the same time gave
way and Wroughton took her place. The
race at this point assumed an interesting
appearance, as the chances of the leaders appeared so evenly balanced
that it was not until they fairly reached the crown of the hill that a positive
claimant to the honour became manifest, as Lozenge
slightly in advance of Wolsey and Lancret, who had sadly been hampered by Honesty hanging on him, drew away and
finished a brilliant race home. Wolsey,
however just getting up in the last stride and finishing with a dead heat. Lancret was beaten by a length for third, Honesty was fourth and Wroughton
fifth.
In the deciding heat Wolsey
made most of the running but was joined half-way in the distance by Lozenge, who running the longest, won
the fine race in the last stride by a neck.’
