The artist David Dalby lived and worked in York where he was listed in a directory as being an ‘animal painter’. Sir Walter Gibley, a renowned 19th century collector of paintings of animals wrote the following about Dalby: “We see, by the manner in which he puts his men in their saddles that Dalby himself was a good huntsman; he also understood fox-hunting and could prove his knowledge on his canvas.”

Barefoot was the winner of the 1823 St Leger. He was ridden to victory by Tom Goodisson who is shown in the painting, trained by Richard Sheperd, and owned by R. Watt.