There are paintings that depict the beauty and speed of horse racing. A fresh perspective is Frank Ashley’s “They’re Off” (#177), which provides a rather entertaining perspective on the rear ends of an offensive line of Thoroughbreds. The 10 jockeys’ silk garments pop with color as their horses leap forward on the lush green lawn. It’s unusual and quite memorable.
Quang Ho’s painting “Down the Stretch” (#134) captures the unusual image of watching the stands as horses race to the finish line. It’s a perspective normally only seen by photographers on the track. His painting captures the speed and momentum of the race, which certainly gives the impression that it will be a photo finish.
One of the joys of the Sporting Art Auction is the variety of stallion portraits. Many of the historical artists are known for their accuracy. Harry Hall was a British artist known for his conformational analysis. His historical portrait “Blue Gown – Winner of the Derby and Ascot Cup, 1968” (#15) is painted in a typical style of the time with a slightly smaller head and muscular hindquarters. Blue Gown retired to stud in Germany, returned to England and died on the way to the United States. (In a rather sad situation, the ship’s crew had to throw him overboard, but they kept a hoof for the trainer.)
William Smithson Broadhead’s ‘Brown Jack in the Paddock’ (#70) features a popular hurdle gelding who won the Queen Alexander Stakes six years in a row. Brown Jack is also honored with bronze by Sir Alfred J. Munnings in the Ascot paddock. He lived at the Barcelona Stables in Wroughton and was indulged in a diet that included whiskey and hot beer. A locomotive was named after him and his skeleton was in the Natural History Museum. He is often cited as “most loved” in Wroughton’s history.
Internationally acclaimed Irish artist Alan Brassington specializes in life-size portraits of horses, and he provides a unique front view of Motivator (#137), who was the 2005 English Horse of the Year and Champion 3-year-olds. Brassington recalls: “I was asked by the Royal Ascot Racing Club to paint a portrait of their horse. It was organized for me to visit Sandringham (Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Stud). I was extremely lucky and fortunate to be able to study such a fine. It is rare to be in the presence of such a wonderful thoroughbred champion, and when it does happen it is truly breathtaking. Definitely a time I will enjoy with great pleasure. He is certainly in my top five of true greats which I have had the pleasure of putting paint to canvas for.
Brassington is the Artist in Residence of the Royal Ascot Racing Club. Motivator, winner of the 2005 Epsom Derby, is the sire of Treve, two-time winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and European Horse of the Year in 2013.
John Fitzgerald is the Artist in Residence at the Curragh Racecourse, where his studio/gallery is open to the public on race days. His stallion portraits are in great demand. He was commissioned to paint a portrait of Shergar, which was featured in the BBC documentary ‘Searching for Shergar’. His stallion portrait of undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify (#161) is simply stunning. Its beautiful chestnut brown coat shimmers against a soft gray background. Horse racing journalist Steve Haskin has called Justify “a towering muscular Adonis of a horse,” which Fitzgerald certainly captures.
Kentucky artist Jaime Corum recently completed a striking mural of Sunday Silence in Paris, Kentucky. In 2024, she completed a 32 x 30 inch mural of Hill ‘N’ Dale’s stallion Curlin across the street from Secretariat Park, which complements her three-story mural of Secretariat (2022).
For lot no. 162 she paints a powerful portrait of Curlin. She says: “I just can’t get enough of the living gold statue Curl! He is definitely one of my main muses these days! His presence is so striking and full of confident authority – he is King of Xalapa and he knows it! I was fortunate enough to spend quite a bit of time with him last year while painting his mural in Paris. I loved watching him patrol the edge of his pasture or walk to and from the breeding barn like a big alpha lion! If you were lucky enough to catch his eye, he’d look at you with that classic Curlin ‘big eye!’ It’s so unique and I love seeing him stamp his offspring with that same exquisite eye structure!”
Arkansas horse sculptor Jan Woods sculpts the winning trophies for Oaklawn Park. “Buck at the Sale” is her bronze tribute to handler Buck Evans. She recalls, “He was the iconic horse handler in the ring at the Keeneland horse sale for many years. I never saw anyone calm a troublesome foal better than he could with his calm demeanor. He was very kind. I thought his face had so much character.”
When you look at this year’s offering in the catalog or online, it becomes clear that the seasons play an important role in inspiring the artists. Watercolorist Sandra Oppegard sketches the gentle world of innovation in her watercolor “Spring” (#139), which was on the Spring cover of Keeneland Magazine in 2025.
Peter Howell was masterful at depicting light. His painting “Oklahoma Training Area, Saratoga Springs” (#67) captures the sunlight gently filtering through the trees as six horses and riders walk gently along the horse trail. The equestrian world continues to mourn the loss of the kind Peter Howell who passed away in 2024. This year’s auction features seven of his beautiful paintings.
Peter Smith conveys the sharp edge of winter with his vivid depiction of snow racing in the Swiss Alps with bold color choices and strong use of light. (#122 “Final Bend – San Moritz”) The jockeys are covered in helmets, goggles and masks and snow is flying off the horses everywhere. The last bend is extremely exciting!
Also inspired by winter is Jaime Corum, who offers the fourth and final painting (“Winter” #126) in her Four Seasons series. She says: “It may be my favourite. I like the way the concept of the blanket draped over the horse’s neck has evolved to read as both a blanket and an illusory space in which to travel visually. Everything feels still and still, like on a cold and snowy evening. Despite the cold, the horse seems cozy and cozy in his magical blanket, perhaps dreaming of a winter dream. The elements of the full moon and the snowy owl also contribute to the feeling of dreamlike magical realism.”
Every year the Sports Art Auction offers treasures. Not only are there a variety of horse images, but there are also charming cats, lots of dogs, fish, elegant birds, boars, a cheeky rhino, lush landscapes, Western art, folk art, and even an adorable painting of a trio of donkeys. The Sales catalog is a “must-have” for sports art enthusiasts. One can also access the artwork on the Cross Gates website Catalog 2025 | The sports art auction which provides instructions for online bidding. In keeping with Keeneland’s mission, the association’s portion of auction proceeds benefits its nonprofit initiatives.
The great thing about the Sporting Art Auction is that it finds historical works that both educate and encourage an appreciation of the visual arts. At the same time, Cross Gate Gallery cultivates and provides a supportive path for contemporary artists while offering a fresh perspective on sports art. It’s a beautiful marriage of past and present, offered through an enchanting and exciting auction!
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