Newmarket Guineas Festival: Sculptor to model Makfi artwork
A sculptor will be putting the finishing touches to his life-size model of a former 2,000 Guineas winner at next month's Guineas Festival in Newmarket.
Edward Waites is sculpting his interpretation of the stallion Makfi, which won the classic race in 2010.
Once the clay model is finished, the Cambridgeshire-based artist will be casting it in bronze.
Makfi currently lives at a stud in Gloucestershire.
Mr Waites, whose studio is in Chippenham, has already produced a sculpture of Makfi's sire (father) Dubawi.
"I liked Makfi's story because he began training in Newmarket, but didn't achieve his full potential until he'd gone to France and came back again to win the 2,000 Guineas," he said.
"Makfi and Dubawi share many characteristics and I'm trying to capture Makfi's wide jaw, muscular stature and cheeky nature.
"I can't wait to show the piece at the Guineas and I'm looking forward to working on it at The Chelsea Flower Show."
Makfi is owned by Qatar's Sheikh Fahad Al Thani and has been put out to stud at Tweenhills Farm near Gloucester.
The Guineas Festival takes place on 3 and 4 May and Mr Waites will then exhibit and work on the clay sculpture at the Chelsea Flower Show between 20 and 24 May.