The leader of the pack

With the government still dithering over whether and when it should put a bill banning hunting with dogs in England to the vote in the House of Commons, it could hardly be a more ironic time for Sotheby's to be auctioning the only known portrait of the 'Father of Foxhunting' and the founder and first Master of the Quorn Hunt.

Thomas Boothby (1681-1752), even by 18th century standards, was a larger-than-life character. Inheri…

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