Horse Racing Sculpture - Art by Patricia Crane

Horse racing sculpture and art, is a genre as old as mankind's efforts to breed fast horses. The Horse racing sculpture displayed below is an early tribute by an internationally known sculptor whose life was influenced from childhood on by the deepness of heart and nobility of character of so many racing handicap champions of the turf.

Horse racing sculpture and the living art of the Thoroughbred is an ongoing passion for this artist although she has also created life size bronzes of show horses for The Kentucky Horse Park. The days preceding and including the racing days of Kelso and Forego specifically inspired the creation of this Handicap Horse bronze, but the ongoing nobility of the Thoroughbred continues to inspire us all in so many ways, including the many depictions of horse racing sculpture throughout the world.

Horse Racing Sculpture and the Thoroughbred

Horse racing sculpture really took off historically with the actual establishment of the Thoroughbred as a breed and the stupendous difference that made to racing. Since Thoroughbreds can achieve speeds around 40 miles an hour, and for a distance of a mile, they hold undisputed reign as king of horse racing. So it is no surprise that horse racing sculpture depicting the racing world of the Thoroughbred is popular the world over.

Thoroughbred horse racing sculpture is so well beloved, but it is also true that there are very few competitive areas in the equine world where one does not find the Thoroughbred as a supreme sporthorse (dressage, hunters, jumpers, eventing, carriage, etc). It is no wonder Thoroughbred art work has followed the breed. The heart and class of the Thoroughbred is not only evident on racing tracks of the world, and in horse racing sculpture specifically of course, but also in every endeavor in which the Thoroughbred is asked to perform. And aside from the racing world, these individuals are also treasured as family riding horses.

The clear and deep felt inspiration for all horse racing sculpture exists not only because the sport of racing is followed world wide, but also because the value of the Thoroughbred goes far beyond their success in competitions of track and field. Yet it must be said that the raw courage, stamina and deep heart of the racing handicap horses and their repeated years of service in racing cannot be given too high of a tribute. The horse racing sculpture above honors champions of the field and steeplechasing and the personal champions of the sculptor's own stable and her own heart.


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