Richard Stone Reeves

Who was Richard Stone Reeves?

Richard Stone Reeves was an American equine painter whom Blood-Horse magazine described as perhaps the greatest modern-day horse painter.

Born in New York City, Reeves grew up in Garden City on Long Island. His father's family included a painter and his mother's owned race horses. Those influences, plus living near Belmont Park, resulted in his love of horses and desire to paint them.

Reeves graduated with a Fine Arts degree from Syracuse University. He served with the United States Navy during World War II after which he embarked on a career as a painter of horses. His big break came when LIFE magazine featured his painting of 1947 Horse of the Year, Armed. That publicity led to his being hired to do private portraitures for many American and European horse owners. As well as portraits, Reeves did a number of action scenes from memorable races. More than a dozen of his works can be found at in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York.

When asked, Richard Stone Reeves said: "Buckpasser was the most perfectly proportioned Thoroughbred I have ever seen." Only two horses, Secretariat and Affirmed, have since been "in a class with Buckpasser".