Peter Barrett (B. 1935) "Sporting Horses - Thoroughbred" Signed lower left. Watercolor. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 29c Thoroughbred Racing stamp issued May 1, 1993. "The sport of kings," horse racing slowly evolved from a leisure time activity into a massive public entertainment business. The first organized race in North America was credited to Richard Nicolls, governor of the colony of New York. In 1665, he offered a silver cup to the winner of a course race at Hampstead Plain, Long Island, thus introducing the first racing trophy to this continent. Many of the rules and customs of today's races were developed in Britain in the 1840s by Lord George Cavendish-Bentinck. Starting the contest with a flag, parading horses in the paddock before the race and the number-board displaying each horse and rider are all among his contributions. In the U.S., three of the most famous races comprise the Triple Crown: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes. Since 1875, Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky, has held the prestigious Kentucky Derby which is patterned after the English Derby at Epsom Downs. The second challenging event is the Preakness, run at the venerable Pimlico race track in Baltimore, Maryland. Inaugurated in 1873, this race covers a stretch of almost one-and-one-quarter miles. The final leg of the Triple Crown is the Belmont Stakes, known as "The Test of the Champion." Run in Belmont Park on Long Island, New York, this race dates back to 1867, making it the oldest of the trio. Just a select few of the nation's finest Thoroughbreds have won all three contests to become Triple Crown champions. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 19.5 x 17 in. Unframed. (B14208)