Stubbs horse painting fetches $36m in London

LONDON - A horse painting by George Stubbs fetched 22.4 million pounds ($35.9 million) at Christie's in London on Tuesday, the third most valuable old master painting to be sold at auction, the company said.

Gimcrack on Newmarket Heath, with a Trainer, a Stable-Lad, and a Jockey had been expected to fetch 20 to 30 million pounds excluding fees. The sale price included the buyer's premium.

The work was painted by Stubbs, renowned for his anatomically precise portrayals of horses, in 1765, and was described by the auctioneer as "a true masterpiece".