Born of a Dutch London merchant, John Frederick Herring Sr was one of the most distinguished sporting and animal painters of the nineteenth century. Celebrated for his remarkably lifelike portrayals of horses, he became the foremost equestrian artist of the Victorian era, producing works that combined technical precision with a deep understanding of animal anatomy and character. Born in London, Herring initially followed a practical trade as a coach and sign painter before moving to Doncaster, the home of the famous St Leger Stakes, where his talent soon attracted the attention of owners, trainers, and breeders, who commissioned portraits of their prized horses. Herring's reputation grew rapidly during the 1820s and 1830s. His carefully observed portraits of celebrated racehorses were particularly admired for their sensitive depiction of each animal's individuality. His success brought commissions from the most notable figures in the racing world including the Duke of Orleans, son of the French King Louis-Phillipe, the Duchess of Kent, mother of Queen Victoria (to whom he was appointed animal painter) and Queen Victoria herself. His sons John Frederick Herring, Jr., Charles Herring, and Benjamin Herring all  became artists, while his two daughters, Ann and Emma, both married painters. But, there was a rift in the family. Herring Sr started to add “Sr” to his paintings around the same time that Herring Jr started adding Jr to his. The two became competitors in British art market. The rift never supposedly never healed. Herring exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1818–1865,  at the British Institution from 1830–1865, and at the Society of British Artists in 1836-1852, where Herring became Vice-President in 1842. Herring’s work has been offered at auction multiple times, the record price being 1,696,000 USD for The Streatlam Stud, Mares and Foals (1836) sold at Christie's New York in 2006.