Going to cover: Sir William Jolliffe with his hounds riding towards a covert

Sir William Jolliffe (1665-1751) was an important patron of the artist, featuring in a number of his racing scenes; he commissioned both Seymour and Wootton to paint racing pictures for his estate, Epsom House, in Surrey. Jolliffe made his fortune as a Turkey merchant and moneylender, and was a Director of the Bank of England from 1714-1742 and of the Royal African Company from 1699-1706. He owned estates in Surrey, Essex, and Yorkshire, becoming M.P. for Petersfield in 1734.
It is likely that Seymour was introduced to Jolliffe through the artist's father, who was also a banker and a goldsmith specialising in racing trophies.