"Tom has brilliantly captured the excitement and rush of emotion felt by both horse and rider in this painting of the horses as they are leaving the gate on the turf at Bay Meadows. Positioning your horse and being patient is key to winning on the turf. Tom has done this painting using mainly a palette knife, giving it a great deal of texture, and these vibrant colors tie it all together, making it appear alive. This painting is 18" X 24" and was done in oil."

And There They Go, . . .

Lost In The Fog

"There was a quiet hush in the stands at Belmont Park on June 11, 2005 when the 8th race of the days card, the G-II Riva Ridge Breeders Cup Stake got set for post. The publics betting choice, Lost in the Fog, would be trying for his 7th consecutive victory. Tom painted this to commemorate the great racing talent who has been making headlines for the Gilchrist Racing Team and owner Harry Aleo in recent days. Tom feels a strong connection with the horse, due to his own career. Trainer Greg Gilchrist, whom Tom had ridden for many years, along with owner Harry Aleo, and rode with regular Jockey, Russell Baze for close to 20 years. Lost in the Fog is stabled at Golden Gate Fields in Albany, Ca. Tom has incorporated the Golden Gate bridge into the background shrouded by fog, commonly seen in the area. GGF is a racetrack where Tom Chapman spent many years, riding and winning races himself."  Three sizes of prints available on our Gicleé Prints page.

"The starters job is not always an easy one in beginning the horse race. Before the starter releases the horses he/she should not do so until all horses are lined up and all 4 feet are on the ground. Or that would be for an ideal start anyway. This is not always possible though as you may have noticed that some horses aren't alltogether at ease within the confines of the gate. This painting Tom has done gives you a look at an ideal start of a race. Horses leaving in their given path and breaking straight."

A Clean Break

Setting Up For The Turn, Bay Meadows

"As the field of horses leave the starting gate at Bay Meadows, one is quick to notice the strong, muscular hindquarters of the race horse. These powerful hindquarters thrust a horse so hard from their alotted numbered stalls, that often they leave a deep groove in the track where the hindfeet had rested in the gate,.... as a rut a car might leave in the mud after spinning it's wheels. Behind the gate is a great place to watch the start of a race. Looking at the field from this angle shows the strength and their willingness to race as they dig in hard to gain their momentum. One can learn a great deal by watching a horse and how he/she leaves the gate. This painting is 18" X 36" and was done in oil."

"Using only a palette knife, this close finishing trio is plenty textured. This gives this particular piece a free faster feel to it. The painting was done in oil and is 20" X 30'' in size. And at the finish, . . . the blues have it. This painting would brighten the look of any room in your home, or in your office."

The Blues Have It

The Field from 5

"The field from the 5/8 pole, looking back as the grandstand fades into the background. This image taken for Wine Country Racing in 2005 has much to say for the men and women making it all work. The riders of the Santa Rosa County Fair have only one thing in mind during racing season, and that one thing is winning. As the jockey's work to position their horses in a winning form, aren't nervous with fear of something happening, but it's anxious anticipation on their faces. Anxious to be led into the winners circle is what stays their frustrations. All riders look forward to such a finish."

"On July 4, 2004 Peace Rules was the early pace-setter on the main track, in the 118th running of the Suburban Handicap at Belmont underneath Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey. He grudgingly gave up the lead temporarily to Funny Cide. In late stretch Peace Rules dug in once hard, and propelled himself to the wire first in 1:59.2 for his ninth victory in 18 career starts. The $300,000. winner's purse upped his career earnings to $3,080,528. Newfoundland was 2nd missing by only a neck, with Funny Cide a very close up 3rd place."

Peace Rules, Suburban Hcp.

Attraction at Ascot

"Attraction is a "braw lass", bred in the debatable lands by her owner, the Duke of Roxbughe, and trained by Scottish patriot, Mark Johnston, just over the border in Yorkshire. Her conformation which is said to be unconventional as a race horse, has made little difference on the race course. Her legs are tiny and frail looking, but the end of her tail is the nearest that any of her rivals are likely to get. She has already earned her place among horse racing superstars. Attraction is already the finest Scottish filly ever to grace a racecourse. Before this season is out, she just might prove herself the greatest of them all."

"Outside of the usual art world circles, Tom is fast becoming well known for his "Name That Painting Contests"! In September 2003, this was the painting we had needing a good name. We've had some good contests in the past but this was by far the biggest as the turn out nearly tripled from previous contests. We had so many participants Tom gave consolation prizes to four runner ups. This is a painting loved by most as we believe it hits us right where we live." Also available in Gicleé Prints

It's All In The Hands

Hold All Tickets

"When Aimee Smith (Turf Club Director at Hollywood Park invited Tom to be the 2002-2003 Featured Artist showcased to represent the Turf Club at Hollywood Park beginning Nov. 8. He was inspired to do this image which depicts a 6 horse blanket finish on the Hollywood Turf course. We combined this memorable occasion with our "Name That Painting  contest held from Sept. 25 - Nov. 1. The title we chose out of some 150 plus entries for our contest." Also Available in Gicleé Prints

"Horse of the year in 1938, was the year he won the greatest match race in history. Best Older Male in '37. The upper right depicts the match against War Admiral, winner of 1937's Triple Crown. The match, run on Nov. 1, 1938 in Marylandd, it was "The Pimlico Special".  Seabiscuit, was the much under-rated underdog, with George Woolf up.  Experts said he'd never touch the Triple Crown winner. The race earned him 'Horse of the Year' title in 1938. The main image is the post parade of the 1938 Bay Meadows Hcp. which he won, with George Woolf up. Top left, he's shown in the winners circle after winning The Santa Anita Hcp. on March 2, 1940 with Red Pollard up. It was his final race and made him the worlds leading money winner of those times, with a record of 33-15-13 from his 89 trips to post, and earnings of $437,730.00." Also available in stunning Gicleé Prints

Seabiscuit, An American Legend

Barnward Bound

"This is a look you may have seen on a horse many times when they have home in their head. The look of anticipation, . . . with the thoughts of their feed buckets being filled, haynets being stuffed. This is the look of a happy healthy animal. Tom has composed this piece using only a palette knife. Amazing how life like although raw the outcome. It's a dynamic use of colors and textures." More paintings in this type of setting can be found in our Pasture Page

"Tom did this painting to show the shades of energy, and exhilaration of the horse as he is racing. In this painting you can almost picture the very mechanics within this horses physique hard at work. The rider is waving his whip, to keep his horse's mind on the business at hand. The contrast of the bright primary colors with the black makes for a brilliant painting."

Shades of Speed

Dusk Afire

"On a warm hot dusky morning or evening a chestnut colored horse will look as though his coat is on fire or shimmering. This horse seems to have a story all his own by the looks of it. Tom did this particular painting using only the palette knife. A beautiful painting for your den or office. Love what he's done with the supposed sunlight here."  More paintings of this type of setting can be found in our  Pasture Page

"This painting depicts three horses turning for home, and the stretch run as they dash to the wire. The jockeys have saved them just enough to get a short burst of speed, hoping and praying that it will be enough to get them there first. You can see them agonize to get their horse just a neck, a head, a nose, or even an eyelash under that wire first. It is an exhilarating feeling to be where they are." Also available in Gicleé Prints

Three Way Battle

Running the Fence

"Horses often have a way of getting into their own routine way of doing things. This is an example of one of the habits a horse might acquire while resting up on the farm. Running along a fenceline is also a way of greeting visitors who may be driving up. This painting was done using only a palette knife. Using vibrant, bright beautiful colors, this is a painting that would make any den look alive and give it the feel of a real Sport of Kings room."