Thoroughbreds, racing scenes, landscapes — and even a hippopotamus — are among the attractions at this year’s 14th Annual Sporting Art Auction. A collaboration between Lexington’s Cross Gate Gallery and the Keeneland Association, the auction brings together work by famous and beloved artists, carefully acquired and assembled by Cross Gate Gallery.

The offerings span horse racing, livestock, dogs, cats, pigs, fish, western art, and folk art. The auction takes place Friday, Nov. 13, at 4 p.m. ET at the Keeneland Sales Pavilion. As part of Keeneland’s mission, the association’s portion of the proceeds will benefit its nonprofit initiatives, including the Keeneland Library Foundation.

With 129 artists represented among 200 lots, choosing a favorite is no easy task. The offerings range from classic-style paintings to modern contemporary pieces, with palettes as varied as the subjects: soft, muted colors sit alongside strong, bold hues. There is plenty to reward different tastes — and a closer look.

“Languish and Pantaloon,” by John Frederick Herring Sr. (Courtesy of Cross Gate Gallery)

Before John Frederick Herring Sr. (1795–1865) became a celebrated English equestrian painter of the Victorian era, he was a coach driver. Captain Frank Siltzer’s 1925 book, “The Story of British Sporting Prints,” recounts how Herring became “turf struck” after seeing the Duke of Hamilton’s William win the St. Leger in 1814. Determined to try painting, he nevertheless struggled to make it a livelihood. According to the story, he passed a coachmaker’s shop and saw someone trying to paint a horse on a coach “with awkward fingers and little science … the painter was wresting in a disturbed way with the proportions of the horse. This was more than Herring could bear; his fingers itched to do it himself, and he offered to help, a proposal which was gladly accepted.” His work attracted notice, and he was employed to paint another coach. Eventually, he was hired as both a painter and a coach driver.

Herring’s long, prolific career left more than beautiful paintings: his work, and his son’s, gives us a glimpse of equine history. “Languish and Pantaloon” (1846) belongs to a celebrated series of mares and stallions. The Sporting Review described the portrait as “a mare and stallion placed in a paddock and more naturally and characteristically grouped.” The Sporting Magazine emphasized that the paintings are “of great importance as preserving the portrait of the most celebrated of the blood present era.”

“Finish of the Derby, Epsom” (1962) captures a thrilling home stretch as Larkspur wins after a chaotic race in which seven jockeys among the 26 runners lost their mounts. In his book “Horses,” celebrated sporting artist LeRoy Neiman described Epsom as “the supreme equestrian pageant of the racing world.” His fascination with horses began in childhood, when he made countless drawings copied from his grandfather’s “1911 Live Stock, A Cyclopedia for the Farmer and Stock Owner.” As a young artist, he also painted grocery store windows. His works have always drawn strong interest at the auction; in 2024, “To the Wire” sold for $334,875.

The drama of the race is only part of the story. Away from the finish line, stallion portraits invite a quieter look at the strength and character of the horse.

“American Pharoah,” by John Fitzgerald (Courtesy of Cross Gate Gallery)

In “American Pharoah,” Irish artist John Fitzgerald presents American Pharoah not as the lean racehorse he once was, but with the physique of a mature stallion. Against a diffused, blue-hued background, the horse gently turns his head and surveys his surroundings with soft eyes. Fitzgerald, who loves painting stallions, visited Coolmore America at Ashford Stud to paint American Pharoah and Justify. He said: “American Pharoah is probably one of the most perfect-looking animals. He has a great rear end and really strong hindquarters. Not just a racehorse, he was a horse that rewrote Triple Crown history after a 37 year wait.” Fitzgerald describes him in terms of “power, elegance, and legacy.”

From the individual presence of American Pharoah, the focus broadens to a trio of sires in Kentucky-based artist Jaime Corum’s striking portrait “American Kings (Tapit, Into Mischief and Curlin).” Corum explains her inspiration. “‘We Three Kings,’ by Susan Crawford, has always been such a favorite of mine. It’s such an iconic piece and it was one of those early pieces that really inspired me as a young equine artist. I have long wanted to create a painting of my own that is a bit of an homage Susan’s painting but to give it a contemporary American twist. Now seemed like a wonderful time to celebrate this trio of extraordinary sires — Tapit, Into Mischief, and Curlin. Each stallion is such a breed-shaper in his own right and so unique in character and looks. The trio just seemed right and deserving of the title, ‘American Kings’ and a fitting nod to one of my equine art heroes.” 

“Early Arrival,” by Andre Pater (Courtesy of Cross Gate Gallery)

“Early Arrival,” one of Andre Pater’s five offerings this year, shows why the Polish-born, Kentucky-based artist is considered a “master of light.” A jockey and horse walk with anticipation across a field of short grass as sunlight dances on the horse’s muscles and the jockey’s face and silks. Pater’s love of horses is imbued in each painting: “I like doing portraits of horses. There are things that I don’t see at the beginning that I discover at the end. I get to another dimension. Going through the layers, I pull out those specific features that this horse has.” Traditionally among the highest-selling artists at past Sporting Art Auctions, Pater saw his Lakota warrior painting, “Red Arrow,” sell for a record-breaking $276,000 in 2016. In 2025, “Breeders’ Cup 1999” sold for $141,000, and his pastel “Watermelon Jockey” sold for $117,500.

For watercolorist Sandra Oppegard, the challenge in “Golden Tempo” was to show the horse crossing the finish line in golden sunlight rather than artificial track lighting. Late-day races can make lighting difficult for an artist, she explained, but Golden Tempo’s name helped inspire the effect she wanted. “I wanted to emphasize that and that’s what I was looking for. I think I achieved it. It came out that way, so I was really happy. It’s simple but effective.”

In “Lady’s Secret & Pat Day,” the diminutive Lady’s Secret charges forward while Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day handles her confidently, with no whip in sight. The portrait is part of New Jersey artist Lisa Palombo’s Famous Fillies series. A contemporary American impressionist known for strong colors and expressive brush strokes, Palombo perfectly captures the relationship between horse and rider.

“Lothario,” by Richard Stone Reeves (Courtesy of Cross Gate Gallery)

Richard Stone Reeves’s “Lothario” offers a stylistic example of his skill in stallion portraiture. Reeves flew to Lexington in 1975 to sketch the stallion at Calumet Farm. In the painting, Lothario stands in a typical Kentucky greenish-gold pasture, his muscles glistening in the sun. Strength emanates from his entire body, conveying a stallion’s confidence.

For equine book collectors, that appeal extends to books by or about Reeves. Oversized and heavy, with sturdy bindings, these glorious coffee-table books are highly collectible and are filled with his paintings and knowledgeable essays by his contemporary turf-writer colleagues that enhance racing’s history.

Two shadowed jockeys on shimmering white horses emerge from blue fog in “Morning Pulse,” a bold painting by Colorado-based, award-winning artist Jill Soukup. The interplay of shadow and contrast draws the eye to the horses. Although she paints other subjects and works in other mediums, horses are a particular strength. In ”Morning Pulse,” she finds beauty in the contrast between the shadowed riders and luminous horses.

“Spirit of Competition,” by Elizabeth Guarisco (Courtesy of Cross Gate Gallery)

Sculpture offerings bring another dimension to this year’s auction. Among the numerous beautiful works is “Spirit of Competition,” by Louisiana artist Elizabeth Guarisco, known for her equine and bronze casting work. An equestrian who spends her summers at Saratoga racetrack, Guarisco has this horse jockey ready. The carefully rendered bridle and saddle, the creases and folds in the saddle cloth, and the endearing flop of part of the mane all contribute to that impression.

From historic portraits to contemporary paintings and bronze sculpture, this year’s  auction offers many ways to see the horse ... and ample reason to linger over the details. The artists have shared their talents and visions bringing the majestic horse to life and our world is better for it. 

All the lots can be viewed at Home | The Sporting Art Auction  There is live internet bidding, and the auction also will be live streamed.