Anthony M. Alonso, one of America’s foremost horse artists, has pledged a donation to support equine health research from the sale of prints of his painting “Horse Fair Panorama.” Alonso will donate 10 percent of sales of any “Horse Fair Panorama” prints which are purchased by members of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.
Any individual or organization concerned with the health and safety of horses may become a member of the Foundation for an annual fee of a minimum of $100. Grayson-Jockey Club currently has approximately 600 members, whose dues range from that level to the Rokeby Circle level of $10,000 and up. The Rokeby Circle is named in honor of the Rokeby Farm of the late Paul Mellon, who was a generous benefactor of Grayson-Jockey Club. Members at all levels qualify for Alonso’s generous donation.
“Horse Fair Panorama” was executed in oils by Alonso, and the 18 3/4” by 20 3/8” print of the work was reproduced by the state of the art Giclee method on high quality paper. Only 200 of the prints were produced, and the price is $495 plus $20 for shipping, unframed, and $750 plus $25 for shipping if deluxe framed.
“When I saw this painting I was immediately struck by what it says about Mr. Alonso, not only as an artist but just as much as someone who appreciates the horse,” said Edward L. Bowen, president of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. “It reminded me of the most charming scenes in the James Herriot books--an old world feel of a horse fair, in this case in Ireland, an image that has changed very little over many years. In trying to figure out just how many horses are depicted, I lost count at 143, and these are complete renditions, while onlookers number well over 200.”
Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is the leading source of private funding of veterinary research geared specifically toward the horse. In the last two decades, the Foundation has provided more than $9.5 million to 31 universities to fund 180 individual projects researching the gamut of horse health and safety problems, including musculoskeletal soundness, reproductive maladies, and fatal infectious and non-infectious diseases.
“I have long been aware of the work of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation,” said Alonso. “All of us who in any way derive either a professional or personal benefit from the horse would do well to pause and consider all the health threats that this wonderful animal faces from time to time. It is up to those of us who love the horse to generate the funds to conduct research on its behalf. Supporting Grayson-Jockey Club is an efficient, and significant, way to achieve that.”
Alonso, who graduated from the prestigious High School of Music and Art in New York City and the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, now lives in Stuart, Fla. He annually hosts an exhibition during the race meeting in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. For many years he has been held in high esteem by professional horsemen for his ability to depict individual horses and humans accurately as well as presenting the many scenes to which the horse is central.
More than 200 owners have commissioned him to do portraits.
Subjects of his work include Man o’ War, Forego, Easy Goer, Affirmed, Cigar, Northern Dancer, Secretariat, John Henry, and Spectacular Bid. Alonso’s paintings hang in the National Museum of Racing and numerous racetracks, including Belmont Park, Santa Anita, Arlington Park, and Woodbine.
Members of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation will receive individual order forms for “Horse Fair Panorama,” and orders will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Membership in the Foundation takes effect immediately upon pledge or payment. The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation headquarters are located at 821 Corporate Drive, Lexington, KY 40503.
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