It’s a racing highlight that equestrians and sporting art enthusiasts look forward to every year. Keeneland Association and Cross Gate Gallery continue their collaboration by offering the 13^th annual Sporting Art Auction on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 4 p.m. ET at the Keeneland Sales Pavilion. Every year has held delightful successes which includes last year’s LeRoy Nieman “To The Wire” which sold for $334,875. This year’s auction includes five Nieman works, and works by Sir Alfred J. Munnings, Vaughn Flannery, and beloved Kentucky Folk artist Henry Lawrence Faulkner. (Enjoy a photo slideshow below displaying all works of art discussed in this essay.)

There are paintings depicting the beauty and speed of horse racing. A fresh perspective is Frank Ashley’s “They’re Off” (#177) which gives a rather entertaining perspective of the hind ends of a charging line of Thoroughbreds. The silks of the 10 jockeys pop with color while their mounts leap forward on the lush green turf course. It’s unusual and quite memorable.

'Down the Stretch' by Quang Ho (Courtesy of Sporting Art Auction)

Quang Ho’s painting “Down the Stretch” (#134) captures the unusual view of facing the grandstand while horses blaze towards the finish line. It’s a perspective normally only seen by photographers at 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 well 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 style common to the time with a slightly smaller head and muscular hindquarters. Blue Gown was retired to stud in Germany, returned to England, and died en route to the United States. (In a rather sad situation, the ship’s crew had to toss him overboard, but they retained a hoof for the trainer.) 

“Brown Jack in the Paddock” (#70) by William Smithson Broadhead features a popular hurdling gelding who won the Queen Alexander Stakes six years in a row. Brown Jack is also honored with a bronze by Sir Alfred J. Munnings in the paddock at Ascot. He resided at the Barcelona Stables in Wroughton and was pampered with a diet that included whiskey and hot beer. He had a locomotive named after him and his skeleton was at the Natural History Museum. He is frequently mentioned as “best loved” in Wroughton’s history. 

Internationally acclaimed Irish artist Alan Brassington specializes in life-size portraits of horses, and he provides a unique frontal view of Motivator (#137) who was England’s Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old in 2005. Brassington remembers “I was asked by the Royal Ascot Racing Club to paint a portrait of their horse. It was organized that I visit (Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Stud) Sandringham. I was extremely lucky and fortunate to be able to study such a fine horse. It’s rare to be in the presence of such a magnificent Thoroughbred champion, and when it happens it truly takes your breath away. Definitely a time I will relish fondly. He is certainly in my top five horses of true greats that I have had the pleasure to put paint on canvas for.”

Brassington is the Artist in Residence to the Royal Ascot Racing Club. Motivator, winner of the 2005 Epsom Derby, is the sire of Treve, a two-time winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and European Horse of the Year in 2013.

'Justify,' by John Fitzgerald (Courtesy of Sporting Art Auction)

John Fitzgerald is the Artist in Residence at Curragh Racecourse where his studio/gallery is open to the public on race days. His portraits of stallions are in high demand. He was commissioned to paint a portrait of Shergar which was featured in the BBC documentary “Searching for Shergar.” His stallion portrait of the unbeaten Triple Crown winner Justify (#161) is absolutely stunning. His beautiful chestnut coat glistens against a soft grey 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 wall mural of Sunday Silence in Paris, Ky. In 2024, she completed a 32’x30’ 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 # 162, she paints a powerful portrait of Curlin. She says “I just can’t get enough of the living golden statue that is Curlin! He is definitely one of my chief 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 to spend quite a bit of time with him last year while painting his mural in Paris. I loved to watch as he patrolled the perimeter of his pasture or walked to and from the breeding shed like a big alpha lion! If you were lucky enough to catch his gaze, he would look at you with that classic Curlin ‘big eye!’ It’s so unique and I love to see when he stamps his progeny with that same exquisite eye structure!”

Arkansas equine sculptor Jan Woods sculpts the winning trophies for Oaklawn Park. “Buck at the Sale” is her bronze tribute to handler Buck Evans. She remembers “He was the iconic horse handler in the ring at the Keeneland horse sales for years. I’ve never seen anyone calm a fractious colt better than he could with his quiet manner. He was very nice. I thought his face had so much character.”

While surveying this year’s offerings in the catalog or online, it’s apparent that the seasons play an important role inspiring the artists. Watercolorist Sandra Oppegard provides the soft world of renewal in her watercolor “Spring” (#139) which was featured on the Spring cover of Keeneland Magazine in 2025. 

Peter Howell was masterful in portraying light. His painting “Oklahoma Training Area, Saratoga Springs” (#67) captures the sunlight gently filtering through the trees as six horses and riders softly walk the horse path. The equine art world is still mourning the loss of the gentlemanly Peter Howell who passed in 2024. This year’s auction features seven of his exquisite paintings.  

'Final Bend - San Moritz,' by Peter Smith (Courtesy of Sporting Art Auction)

Peter Smith conveys the sharp crispness of winter with his vivid portrayal of snow racing in the Swiss Alps with bold color choices and the strong use of light.  (# 122 “Final Bend – San Moritz”) The jockeys are covered with helmets, goggles and masks and there is flying snow from the horses everywhere. The final bend is extremely exciting!

Also inspired by winter is Jaime Corum who offers the fourth and final painting (“Winter” #126) in her series of the Four Seasons.  She says “It may just be my favorite. I’m happy with how the concept of the draped blanket over the horse’s neck has evolved to read as both a blanket and an illusory space into which you can visually travel. All feels quiet and still, like it might on a cold and snowy evening. Despite the chill, the horse seems cozy and snug in his magical blanket, perhaps dreaming a winter’s dream. The elements of the full moon and snowy owl also add to the feeling of dreamlike magic realism.”

Every year the Sporting Art Auction offers treasures. Not only are there a variety of equine portrayals, but there are also charming cats, plenty of dogs, fish, elegant birds, boars, a sassy rhino, lush landscapes, Western art, folk art and even an adorable painting of a trio of donkeys. The Sales catalog is a “must own” for Sporting Art enthusiasts. One can also access the art work at Cross Gates website  2025 Catalogue | The Sporting Art Auction which offers instructions for on-line bidding.   In keeping with Keeneland’s mission, the association’s portion of the auction proceeds benefits its non-profit initiatives. 

The beauty of the Sporting Art Auction is that it finds historical works that both educate and stimulate the appreciation of fine art. Simultaneously, Cross Gate Gallery cultivates and offers contemporary artists a supportive path while offering a fresh perspectives of sporting art. It’s a beautiful marriage of past and present offered through an enchanting and exciting auction!