John Bowes’ horse ‘Daniel O’ Rourke’ (‘lrish Birdcatcher’ out of ‘Forget me not’) was under 15 hands high yet his trainer John Scott and his jockey, Frank Butler, thought highly of the little horse or the pony as they often called him, and though he had run a disappointing race in 1852 at the 2000 Guineas, they held to their opinion that he had a good chance for the Derby. ‘Daniel O’Rourke will win the Derby. It is all humbug the 2000’.

On the day of the race heavy rain began at six in the morning and went on until just before the start of the race. Daniel O’Rourke was at odds of 25 to 1, well down in the betting in the field of 27 runners. John Bowes described Daniel O’Rourke’s victory. ‘The horse won by gameness and by being very well ridden, the second horse is evidently better out the youth was on him lost his head, and besides had not the strength to keep him together….my horse, who tho’ barely fifteen hands high is very strong and kept struggling on.’

Object description
Type: Easel painting
Location: Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham
Material: Oil on canvas
Artist: Harry Hall (1815-1882)
Date: 1820-35

Image Details
Date: 7 Feb 2025
Camera body: iPhone Xs
Lens: Telephoto Camera 52mm ƒ/2.4
Focal Length: 52mm
Aperture: ƒ/2.4
Shutter Speed: 1/50s
ISO: 320
Licensing: Image of a Bowes Museum asset. This image cannot be licensed.