April 2018

I am delighted to have been invited to be Artist in Residence at Newmarket, by The British Racing School.

The residency project will allow me to spend part of each month,  in Newmarket, based at The BRS,  painting a range of subjects  from this historic centre of flat racing. It starts this month, and will continue over the next 16 months, culminating in an exhibition towards the end of 2019.  It presents a wonderful opportunity for me to explore artistically,  the many visually interesting aspects of the flat racing world and focus on building a body of artwork  that will encapsulate my experience there. The scale and concentration of the horse racing business in the town is awesome, with over 60 resident trainers and over 6000 horses in training.  I shall be spoilt for choice and the challenge is more going to be choosing the locations and subjects from such a large pool of inspiration!

The British Racing School itself provides a fascinating behind the scenes insight into the training of racing  business staff, from jockeys to trainers and stable staff. A centre of training excellence, this Charity is on a mission to bring more young people into the UK  racing industry, through education, training, and placement. They do an incredible job, running  a continuous programme of courses with  leading instructors,  and the busy hive of  activity in their own yard and gallops, will be a fascinating ongoing subject  for me to  observe and sketch.

Outside of the BRS itself , and facilitated by their  invaluable introductions and recommendations, I shall be working at The Rowley Mile and July Course racetracks, Trainers yards, stud farms and spending plenty of time out on the iconic gallops watching the strings of horses ride out. A favourite subject.  And with the wide open green spaces and big skies of Suffolk, an interesting change of scenery and backdrops to paint through the seasons. Iconic locations such as Warren Hill, The Limekilns, Pegasus Stables and The Shadwell Stud are so familiar. It is a huge thrill to be  exploring these places and others, in an artistic capacity, and to find myself walking in the footsteps of inspirational equestrian artists of the past, such as Alfred Munnings and John Skeaping,

My own painting practice dynamic is old school in approach, yet contemporary in style, with the emphasis very much on keen observation and sketching directly from the subject wherever possible. Multiple studies and notes build a spontaneous record of what I see, and I aim to keep the movement and action loose in style to retain a sense of movement , energy and atmosphere.

Sketching days at The Rowley Mile, Craven Meeting.

This meeting kicks off the flat racing season at Newmarket and  coinciding with the best weather to date this year, my sketching visits were blessed by glorious light and sunshine. After a soggy and long, dark , winter and the often bitterly cold National Hunt season, this was a welcome sight. And a great start to the residency.  The horses coats were gleaming and in fabulous condition, the jockeys silks shone, and the crowds were all in celebratory mood.  Great atmosphere.

With a wide  variety of inspirational sketching  locations to consider, I found myself drawn mainly to the paddock area to observe the horses paraded both before each race and then the winners ridden back into the enclosure afterwards to be applauded and cooled off. A timeless subject, and with the circular procession, a good sketching rhythm can be established, as they come and go.

My lead pencil exploratory sketches start off as abstract marks to establish a direction and pattern of movement, which I then return to where possible to build detail. I sketch the compositions and play with scale and the arrangement of notes on a page, written and sketched, anything that catches my eye or imagination. Sketching for me, is where the concentrated focus and magic connection comes. Of course I also make  a photographic reference record for later on in the studio, but this  can  never replace the immediate connection that is made through the coordination of eye, hand and heart.

Sketching from  another excellent place, high up in a Grandstand box,  I accessed fabulous views across the course and a bird’s eye view of the race spectators below, forming interesting figurative groups casting long shadows in the brilliant sunlight.

Of the many stunning horses i watched, including offspring of the legendary Frankel, I have to mention Masar, who I was fortunate  enough to observe  from inside the parade ring and then go on to win the Craven Stakes in great style. What a fabulous looking, bright chestnut horse. With the Godolphin blue silks. A real eye catcher.



Moller Lecture Theatre

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Niarchos Room

Up to 30 delegates

Sir Gordon Richards Room

Up to 12 delegates

Godolphin Room

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Hong Kong Room

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