Kay Smith Artist |
In the 1980s, I was able to gain unprecedented access to America's greatest racehorses. The Hall of Fame Press commissioned me to paint these champions for its American Sports Book. I was allowed into their paddocks and stalls, proximity that would never be permitted today. I became closely acquainted with Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed and others as I traveled to the elite horse farms.
Secretariat was the first horse I painted and my favorite. I sat in his stall, sketching gesture drawings. As a host he was quite comical, dropping hay on me, nosing my paint tray out of reach, then he would ignore me. But the next day, there I was again sitting on his hay bale. He leaned over and took a bite of my straw hat- while it was still on my head! He thought this was a great joke.
From then on, I wanted to know each horse, not just its build or coloring, but its personality. Some artists paint from photographs, but that would never give you the whole animal. The camera can distort color and proportions. Spectacular Bid is seen as gray in photos, but actually some of his hair is brown and white. It’s his distinctive marking. Secretariat is often seen as chestnut brown, but in person that horse was as copper red as a new penny.
Temperament is a factor in understanding a horse, too. Some of my subjects were more cooperative than others. Kelso, who was named Horse of the Year five times, had a mutt companion he couldn't be without. Every time the groom tried to move the dog out of my view, Kelso would have a fit. Finally, I gave up. Kelso got his way, and I just painted the dog out of the picture.
I spent days getting to know these horses and months at my drawing board finishing the watercolor paintings. Overall, it was a five-year labor of love that has lasted the rest of my life."
For inquiries, contact Kay by email akaysmith@att.net or by text 773-709-2690.
Triple Crown winner in 1973, Secretariat was the super horse of his time. When he posed for me, he was all business. Head up, ears forward, his three stocking legs placed just right for what he thought was a photographer. Quickly puzzled that no light bulbs were popping, he looked to see why I was loafing along with paint and brushes.
Triple Crown Winner, Affirmed, in 1978, being washed down at the Belmont track. Mrs. Wolfson, his owner, was there that day. He adored her, neighing to her to come scratch his head and nose.
I painted Spectacular Bid in front of his stall at the Delaware Track. In 1979, he won the Derby and the Preakness but came in third at the Belmont. He was the most difficult horse to paint. He was mean, a kicker and biter, never standing still long enough for me to get a sketch off. I finally came to the track at 5:00 am, after his morning workout. He would stay calm when his groom rubbed him down.
The 1977 Triple Crown winner here with his groom at Spendthrift Farms. When Seattle Slew was tired of standing still for me, his groom would walk him in a small circle. Then he would resume his pose. I thought the groom deserved to be included in this painting.
I sketched the 1978 Triple Crown Winner, Affirmed, as he paraded around the track on Affirmed Day, his last public appearance. His trainer, Laz Barrera, told me he was the most intelligent horse he ever trained.
Secretariat was my favorite horse to paint. He was retired to Claiborne Farms, where he lived to age 19. His whole body, not just his head, heart and hooves, as is common, is buried there. His huge heart, 22 pounds, contributed to his winning ability and his personality.
I was allowed close access to this Triple Crown winner, unheard of now. Sitting on his hay bale, I was able to sketch Secretariat in his stall. He was curious about me. One morning he took a playful bite out of my straw hat, while it was on my head!
The greatest of the stakes racers, Kelso beat more champions and Hall of Famers than any other thoroughbred in the 20th century. I painted him on the du Pont farm in Maryland, where he was retired by his owner, Mrs. du Pont.
Named the "Big Horse with the Bad Temper", Forego was considered one of the greatest geldings of all time. I painted him at the Kentucky Horse Park in 1983 and stayed clear just in case. His jockey, Bill Shoemaker, said, "He knew where the wire was."
Opened in 1863, Saratoga has been in almost continuous use ever since. Known for its striped awnings and wrought iron details, it transports visitors back to the days when they would have arrived by horse. Also known as the "House of Upsets". Man O' War, Secretariat, and American Pharoah all lost races here.
Belmont Park racecourse hosts the third leg of the Triple Crown, the "Test of the Champion". Secretariat set a world's record here in 1973 with his 31-length victory clinching the first Triple Crown in 25 years. Horse lovers had to wait another 37 long years before American Pharoah would win his crown here.
John Henry was a late bloomer, but he made up for it. One of few horses to win back-to-back Santa Anita Handicaps, he also won the Arlington Million twice. In 1983, he was the first horse to win over $4,000,000 in his career.
In 1983, a colt sired by Northern Dancer started a bidding war at Keeneland that changed the course of horse racing in America. I sat in the back, sketching the who's who of the crowd while fierce competition raged. In the end, Sheik Mohammed of UAE bought the Dancer for the highest price ever paid for a yearling- $10,200,000. This painting has a key identifying the big players from Sheik Mohammed to his strongest competitor, Robert Sangster, who dropped out at $10,000,000.
Triple Crown Winner, 1977, and the first to win it while undefeated. I met Seattle Slew at the Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, KY. He was the most gentlemanly of the horses I painted. He would hold his pose for me as long as two minutes while I sketched, barely moving. Then a shake of his halter and he would resume the same pose. My favorite model.