Commissioned by the Rev. John William King (1793-1875) of Ashby Hall, Ashby de la Launde, Lincolnshire
by descent to William Vere Reeve King-Fane (1868-1943) of Fulbeck
Thence by descent in the family

STRUCTURE The canvas has been relined. PAINT SURFACE The paint surface is in good, clean condition; ready to hang. ULTRAVIOLET UV light reveals scattered areas of cosmetic infilling in the sky, some further to the jockey and horse; also a small area of retouching to a stretcher mark off the right border. This has been professionally executed. FRAME Held in a fine, ornate, plaster gilt frame in fair condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Agility, a bay filly foaled in 1867, was owned and bred by the Rev. John William King.  King was the fourth son of Colonel Neville King (1752-1833) of Ashby Hall, Ashby de la Launde, Lincolnshire.  Never exℱpecting to inherit his father's state John entered the church and became vicar of St Hybald's, but by 1841 his three older brothers had all passed away.  He therefore in🔯herited the family house and stud.

King was a popular and conscientious minister; he was a keen huntsmen as a lifelong member of the Burton Hunt and also had an unbridled passion for racing.  His first major success came in 1856 when Manganese, in which he owned a half-share, won the One Thousand Guineas.  Agility was the full sister of Apology, another of King's horses who enjoyed great success in the 1874 season winning the One Thousand Guineas, the Oaks and the St Leger.  Agility had an extraordinary run of success, winning twenty-one races and a dead heat in the Doncaster Stakes.  Among her victories were the Tyro Stakes and Seation Delval Stakes at Newcastle, The Nottingham Biennial Stakes on two occasions, the Nasau Stakes at Goodwood, the Zetland Biennial Stakes at Stockton, the Warwick Cup, the Park Hill Stakes at Don✱caster, the Free Handicap at Newmarket, the Stocton Four Year Old Claret Stakes, the York Cup and Queen's plates at Shrewsbury, Chester, Manchester, Newcastle, Carlisle a🍸nd Lichfield.

Unfortunately, such notoriety and success caught the eye of Christopher Wordsworth, Bishop of Lincoln.  He strongly disapproved of a member of the clergy enjoying such frivilous excesses.  He gave King an ultimatum, either resign his ministry or withdraw from racing.  King is said to have replied with a letter of just one word: Apology.  Apology promptly won the St Leger.  This was the last straw for Wordsworth, who wrote to the Times, accusing Ki🙈ng, by now in his eighties, of bringing scandal on the churc𝔍h.  Despite popular support for King, the ensuing public row took its toll; he resigned his livings in May 1875 and died three weeks later.