Renowned Equine Sculptor To Design Barbaro Bronze For Churchill Downs

Lexington, Kentucky - Renowned equine sculptor and ASHA member, Alexa King, was selected by Roy and Gretchen Jackson, the owners of 2006 Derby winner Barbaro, to portray the Derby winner in bronze. The statue will become the focal point of Barbaro's official memorial and burial site at Churchill Downs.

King’s design features Barbaro and jockey Edgar Prado in mid-flight between strides nearing the finish line in the 2006 “Run for the Roses.” The larger-than-life-sized statue will be attached to a horizontal bronze rail that will support the 1500-pound artwork, creating the impression that Barbaro and his rider are suspended in air. It is the first time that an equine statue of this size and scope has been presented in this manner, with all four of the horse’s feet off the ground.

In addition, King more recently finished the bronze portrait of Stonecroft’s World’s Champion Five-Gaited stallion, I’m First. Likewise, she is also working on a portrait of Rob Byers and CHBoucheron which will be exhibited at the Saddlebred Museum.  King has exhibited and sold Saddlebred pieces worldwide including a Saddlebred piece “Saddlehorse in Training” in a Sporting Art auction in Saratoga. 

King’s history with Saddlebreds dates back to her first bright chestnut gelding with a flaxen mane and tail. He was a walk/trot horse that she showed on the Wisconsin circuit in the 1980s. She rode with Rick Wallen’s stable and loved the thrill of showing a high necked horse with so much character. 

King’s American Saddlebreds, She’s A Princess, Don’tTellMeNo and Stonecroft Absolutely reside with her in Wisconsin.  Her personal favorite, She’s A Princess, serves as her trail riding horse and never fails to provide an exciting ride in the ring. She connects with the Saddlebred for its immense beauty, talent and character. She’s A Princess has been an inspiration for many works she has done on Saddlebreds.

Source: www.asha.net