Title - A Winner at Epsom(c1948)

Artist - Sir Alfred James Munnings

In the present picture, Munnings has depicted a horse, his own bred mare, Winter Rose, in the winner's enclosure, being unsaddled after her race. A groom holds the horse while the jockey, in Stanley Wooton's colours, uncinches the girth. Because the the girth is momentarily tightened to loosen the buckle, the horse, with ears slightly back, is seen taking a step to the side and moving away from the jockey, a typical response to being unsaddled. Winter Rose's nostrils are flaring from exertion and she mouths the bit, as evidenced by her slightly open mouth. It is the acute observance of these nuances of equine behaviour that substantiates Munnings as the consummate equine portraitist. He misses nothing.

Also included in the scene is the trainer, wearing a bowler hat, and holding a rug. The presumed owner walks proudly down the steps. Relaxed punters, probably those who failed to bet on this winner, lean over the rail observing the activity below.