A Jockey in Yellow Unsaddling a Dark Bay Horse

This is an exceptional example of Munnings' fluid and confident brushwork undertaken en plein air by the side of the unsaddling paddock. It is most likely that this is a scene from Epsom, probably his favorite racecourse. Munnings described such a scene at Epsom in his autobiography, 'Since Epsom had been to me a source of inspiration from the Grand Parade's Derby onwards, I should be leaving a considerable gap if I did not write my own impressions of Epsom Race, as they are called in plain lettering on the race-cards of the meeting...For years and years my next hurried move has always been to the grass ring with the white rail, where the winner is led in. The surrounding pebbled enclosure is quickly crowded - everyone waiting to see the Derby winner. For a few moments this one particular animal occupies the thoughts of all who are waiting there. Such a race and finish has had the same effect on every looker-on. Nothing else in the world matters for the time being to those discussing it....I must have seen hundreds of winners of races in that ring...' (A.J. Munnings, The Finish, Bungay, 1952, p. 220 and p. 230).

This work will be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné of the works of Sir Alfred Munnings being prepared by Lorian Peralta-Ramos.