GALWAY based Equine Photographer Martina Regan’s specially commissioned portrait was presented to President Obama in the White House by Henry Healy (Obama’s eighth cousin from Moneygall, Co. Offaly) on St Patrick’s Day.
The Equine Photographer was approached to capture on camera the prominence and the respect of the thriving horse racing industry in Ireland.
Regan’s photograph shows the Cheltenham’s Gold Cup winning duo from 2014, jockey Davy Russell and the now famous Lord Windermere, owned by Dr. Ronan Lambe.
Shot at Jim Culloty’s yard in Churchtown the image illustrates the bond between jockey and horse. “It is one of honesty, trust, mutual respect and above all the will to win,” explained Martina Regan.
Lord Windermere is trained by Jim Culloty at his yard in Mount Corbitt, Churchtown, Mallow, Co. Cork. Culloty is himself a former National Hunt jockey - three time Gold Cup winner as a jockey and Gold Cup winning trainer.
“We have a massive pride in horses and horse racing in Ireland,” Regan says. “Our bond between horses and people - whether they are professional jockeys, leisure riders or trainers – it runs deep and is one which is deeply respected and valued. So capturing the relationship between Davy and Lord Windermere was an incredible experience to be part of.”
