Sir Alfred Munnings - At the Races

Limited edition Goutelette print.

Paper Size: 20 x 24 ins / 50 x 60 cm
Image Size: 16 x 20 ins / 40 x 50 cm

This beautifully atmospheric painting is a fine demonstration of the genius of arguably Britain’s finest equestrian artist.  It depicts racehorses being walked up the track before a race to line up for the start of a race at Kempton. Kempton Park Racecourse is a horse racing track in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, England, 16 miles from Central London. Munnings has captured the openness of the Kempton Park which is set in 210 acres of land. The racecourse was the idea of 19th century businessman (and Conservative Party agent) S.H. Hyde, who was enjoying a carriage drive in the country when he came across Kempton Manor and Park for sale. Hyde leased the grounds in 1872 and six years later in July 1878 Kempton opened as a racecourse.

Munnings was fascinated by the racehorse and was a great racegoer. The jockeys are depicted in their different colours and designs and the horses are eager and strong with gleaming coats gliding over their tight muscles.

Unlike the finish of a race, which passed in a fleeting moment, the start of a race gave the artist more time to record his impressions; in the days before starting stalls, additional inspiration was given by the jockeying of the riders and horses for position. Munnings was to exclaim: “Each start was a fresh picture for me, as they have been, meeting after meeting, year after year.”