The Sporting Art Auction, conducted by Cross Gate Gallery of Lexington and Keeneland, held the most successful sale in its 10-year history, with 90% of its lots sold this past weekend. Friday's auction drew in 300 buyers from nearly a dozen countries and grossed nearly $2.5 million.
The highest-grossing piece was the sale of famed Kentucky artist Henry Faulkner's Floral, a signed oil on Masonite, which went for $123,375. The globally prominent auction, which featured 180 high-quality lots representing fine Sporting Art, American paintings, and sculptures by renowned artists, was held in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion.
“We were blown away by the interest we received from buyers both new and old at this year's auction, particularly when it came to works by American artists like Henry Faulkner,” said Greg Ladd, Owner and Founder of Cross Gate Gallery. “A shocking amount of works went well beyond our highest estimates, which is a testament to the growing interest collectors and buyers have in sporting art. We were fortunate enough to host our auction at Keeneland after an exceptional season of racing and sales, which undoubtedly inspired more fans to become owners of equine art themselves.”
Additional highlights among the evening's top-priced works were David Shepherd's Lion in the Serengeti, an oil signed and dated '75, for $82,250, and Andre Pater's signed pastel 2022 Breeders' Cup, Keeneland Race Course, which he created as the official artwork of this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships, for $76,375. Other notable works included Richard Stone Reeves' Unique Triple, Raise a Native, Affirmed & Exclusive Native, Spendthrift Farm, an oil signed, inscribed and dated '82, which sold for $61,100, and Swaps, an oil signed and inscribed for $49,350; and Peter Howell's signed oil Deauville, Exercise by the Sea for $58,750.
Keeneland's portion of the auction proceeds continues its mission to benefit non-profit initiatives. “The excitement of Keeneland racing and sales along with the Breeders' Cup sparked a buzz around this year's Sporting Art Auction,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “It's been really fun these past 10 years to watch the auction thrive and grow into what we hoped it would be from its inception–a highly anticipated event for sporting art enthusiasts. For Keeneland, it combines fun and philanthropy in support of our mission to better the local community.”
For more information, please visit www.thesportingartauction.com.
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