Anthony M. Alonso, one of America's foremost horse artists, will donate to the Grayson-Jockey Club Foundation a portion of the sales from 200 prints of his "Horse Fair Panorama" oil painting.
The Florida artist has pledged to donate 10% of each print sold to a foundation member.
"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."
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.
The foundation has about 600 members. Annual dues are a minimum of $100 and extend up to $10,000 and beyond for membership at the Rokeby Circle level.
"Horse Fair Panorama" is an 18 3/4-inch by 20 3/8-inch oil painting reproduced by the state of the art Giclee method on high quality paper. The prints sell for $495 plus $20 for shipping, unframed, and $750 plus $25 for shipping if 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."
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. 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.
