Spirit of the Race – Towcester Race Course.
Galloping Ghosts of the Landscape
What do you see, first? The glorious gates or the hunched over horseback riders? Impressive, comes to mind, dramatic and elegant. I’m not a horse person, but I’ve been to a few race courses, and I can’t think of another with such impressive gates.
A conversation with a friend had me revise my initial plan for this painting, and I’m so glad I did. The transient nature of the race is captured in the spirit nature of the horses and riders. So many metaphors in one painting. The transient nature of life and competition, the portal to a new dimension represented by the gates. What else does it evoke?
Situated on the A5 or the Roman road of Watling Street near Towcester Town. The gates catch the eye. A combination of sturdy stonework and iron work, they appears flimsy but exude strength. The central gates remind me of my Nan’s lace doilies, a thing rarely seen in modern times.
Fantastic, man made structures that seem to be fighting nature. Lines of construction against organic painting which describes a scene of weathering and decay. Blooms of paint mix haphazardly and spill outwards into the sky.
Three horses are bursting out of the gates, but they also seem to be fighting to break free, along with their riders.
Parts of the gateway are merged with the outlines of the horses. One long, confused mess of man, horse, stone and railings. The horses and riders depict the spirit of the venue, as ghosts of past race horses and riders that remain. They have come and gone in the long and noble history of horse racing in the UK.
Gold and yellow dominates in parts. I’m reminded of a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow or a race, in this case. The winners takings, but there’s nothing for the “Also rans”, except next time things might change.
Origins and Horse Racing History
Racing at the Towcester course dates to the 18th Century., but had ceased to occur after 1798. The first meeting over the modern course took place in 1928. The Towcester Racecourse Company was formed under the direction of Sir Thomas Fermor-Hesketh, later 1st Lord Hesketh, and it was there on his estate of Easton Neston, that the course was sited, and the first grandstand built.
Towcester was popular among the racing fraternity, mostly because of the sharp bends in the course, and the final gallop to the finishing post was uphill, which tested the horses and results in some unexpected finishes. Sadly it closed to horse racing as of 2024 but is still in use as a Greyhound Course.
Evolution of the Title
I confess I’m not a sports fan and the spirit of the race eludes me. That said, I can see the appeal of horse racing. The magnificent beasts, the thrill off the race as they pass.
At first, I’d planned on calling this First Out the Gate – Towcester Race Course. After a while I felt the Spirit of the Race was more fitting, the horse and riders are lost in the scene. Among the confusion of lines and paint, echoes of long past rider and animals remain, free to race wherever they may.
The spirit of the race continues.