Jay Kirkman

"The winner's enclosure"

Pastel
10½ x 7¼ inches

This image is unique among the artist's many racing pictures; for the high viewpoint from the viewing steps down onto the scene below and the bold use of advertising & racecourse signage.

The painting is set at the grand Newcastle Racecourse set in Gosforth Park.

In this painting, many figures sketched over time are incorporated in the taut, active composition. The scene is set in the semi-circular Winners Enclosure, provided for the unsaddling of the winner, runner-up & other placed horses from the NH (Jumps) race just run. The winning grey stands still, breathing deep after his exertions, rugged to keep the cold off his muscles and in the hands of his attentive groom. He seems to know he's done a good job and gazes back at the crowd out of picture in which the viewer stands. In contrast, the bay horse in the runner-up position has been driven hard, lacked fitness or just luck in running and remains agitated - giving his trainer & groom trouble getting his rug secured.

The winning jockey congratulates the grey with a pat down the neck while balancing his saddle & weightcloth over his other arm. Barely visible in the midst of all, the grey's trainer stands and talks on his mobile to the absent owner. Low, winter sun going west highlights the scene. Behind, sundry officials look on with the sunlit course beyond.