黑料不打烊

As part of our expanded gallery partnership program, we're pleased to include select galleries in the 黑料不打烊 Magazine. Ilka Gansera-Leveque from Art & Horse Racing Gallery answers a few questions from the magazine in a warm, insightful, and slightly artistic tone that reflects her unique blend of horseracing expertise and curatorial passion:

Tell us about the origins of Art & Horse Racing Gallery. What inspired its creation, and how does its location – within three converted stables at St Wendred's Racing Yard in Newmarket – shape the experience you offer?

The gallery was born from a desire to share the beauty we live with every day – horses, nature and the rhythm of a working racing yard. Initially, it was a way to offer racehorse owners a more immersive experience when visiting their horses. But it quickly became something more: a celebration of art that uplifts, set in a place where life pulses with purpose. The converted stables at St Wendred’s are steeped in history and character. When visitors step inside, they’re not just entering a gallery – they’re stepping into a living, breathing world where art and horseracing coexist. The scent of hay, the sound of hooves, and the serenity of the countryside all contribute to an atmosphere that’s both grounding and inspiring.

How would you describe your curatorial approach? What draws you to particular works or artists, and are there themes or values that consistently inform your selection?

I curate with emotion. I’m drawn to pieces that evoke beauty, joy, curiosity, or a sense of peace – art that makes you feel good, as we like to say. My selections are guided by instinct and connection: to the artist, the story behind the work and how it resonates with our environment. Themes of nature, resilience and movement are central. I look for authenticity and craftsmanship, whether it’s a whimsical folk painting or a striking sculpture. The gallery is eclectic by design, reflecting the diversity of life around us – from the elegance of a thoroughbred to the quiet dignity of a windswept landscape.

Please introduce a few of the artists currently featured in the gallery. Are there any recent acquisitions, exhibitions, or stories behind the works that you'd like to share?

Our gallery is proud to represent a carefully curated group of artists whose work resonates with the themes of the beauty of nature, movement and emotional connection.

Marco Ramasso, an Italian artist, brings a bold, expressive energy to the gallery. His 150 x 120 cm Flamingo Beauty Case was our stunning centerpiece at the Fresh Art Fair in London’s Alexandra Palace last February, while his Gocce Rossa now resides in the Tablelands of NSW, an example of the gallery’s international reach. His work explores the interplay of color and emotion, with a raw, visceral quality that captivates viewers.

Marco Ramasso, Flamingo Beauty Case, 2010, oil on canvas, 150 x 120 cm

Giacomo Mazzari, also from Italy, creates evocative, atmospheric pieces that blend abstraction with natural forms. His work invites contemplation and often feels like a visual echo of memory or dream.

Amy Elizabeth Lay, a Wyoming-based artist, draws deep inspiration from her upbringing in the wilderness of Northeastern Oregon. Her paintings, primarily in oils, are known for their vibrancy, bold use of color and ephemeral quality. With a non-traditional, expressive style and powerful yet simple design, Amy’s work carries a unique signature that is instantly recognizable and emotionally resonant.

Anna Pugh, an internationally beloved English folk artist, continues to enchant with her whimsical, narrative-rich paintings. Now in her mid-80s and with limited eyesight, her works, Long Grass and Remember the Day, Forgot the Keys are the last two original treasured acrylics we have for sale.

Anna Pugh, Long Grass, 2022, acrylic on board.

Veda Hallowes MRSS, a British sculptor working primarily in bronze. Her irresistibly tactile, fruit-inspired forms serve as metaphors for the female body, embodying themes of fertility, humor and sensuality. Each piece is unique, thanks to her distinctive patinas. This year her work will be shown at the Royal Society of Sculptors Summer Exhibition.

Dawn Reader is an oil painter of land and sea, inspired, as her name suggests, by early morning light as it dances on water, sparkles on silent snow, or shimmers through trees. Her work celebrates fleeting beauty and spiritual serenity. Using a muted palette and simplified forms, Dawn captures majestic and tranquil moments, focusing on time rather than place. Each painting is a unique expression of light, stillness and the power of nature.

Tania Still, a Yorkshire-born painter known for her striking portrayals of horses and hounds. She focuses on the anatomy and character of her subjects, often removing backgrounds to let their presence take center stage. Her large-scale works highlight muscle structure and movement, creating a powerful visual narrative. Tania’s paintings are held in private collections worldwide and her subjects include renowned racehorses such as Golden Horn, Roaring Lion, and Cue Card. Her work is widely collected across the UK, Europe, the USA, Australia, Argentina, and Kuala Lumpur. In 2019, two of her pieces were featured in Chatsworth House’s “The Dog” exhibition.

Tania Still, 11am Grey, 2022, oil on linen, 180cm x 180cm

Together with 40 others, these artists each bring a distinctive style and vision to the gallery’s evolving story.

Originally created with racehorse owners in mind, the gallery has since welcomed a broader public. How do you connect with visitors and collectors, both within the art world and from the racing and local communities?

Connection is everything. We host open days, private viewings and informal gatherings where art lovers and racing enthusiasts mingle. Our podcast, Vantage Point Racing Club, also helps bridge worlds, bringing news of our equine athletes and the gallery’s progress, with guests from the equine and art world. Online, we’ve built a platform where collectors can explore and purchase art from anywhere. Locally, we’re part of the Newmarket community and many visitors come out of curiosity and leave with a new appreciation for both horses and art. It’s about creating moments of discovery and joy.

With its rural setting, working yard atmosphere, and proximity to the horses themselves, the gallery offers an experience unlike any other. How do you see this interplay between place, subject, and art shaping the gallery's identity?

The gallery’s identity is inseparable from its setting. Horses are living art – graceful, powerful, and deeply expressive. To view fine art in their presence, in a space where they’re trained and cared for, adds a layer of meaning that’s hard to replicate. The rural calm, the daily rhythm of the yard, and the authenticity of our environment all shape how the art is received. It’s not sterile or staged – it’s real, and that’s what makes it special.

What upcoming exhibitions, events, or collaborations are you particularly excited about?

We have a vibrant calendar ahead that reflects the gallery’s growing presence and the passion behind our curation.

鈼�      “Horses and Hounds” Exhibition
Taking place during Newmarket’s July Racing Festival Week (July 1–10), this exhibition celebrates the elegance and energy of equestrian and canine subjects – two enduring themes in our collection. Open daily from 10am to 6pm, it’s a perfect pairing with the excitement of the races.

鈼�      The Game Fair at Ragley Hall (July 25–27)
We’re thrilled to be exhibiting at The Game Fair, one of the UK’s most iconic countryside events. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with a wider audience who share our love of nature, sport, and fine art.

鈼�      “Suffolk Skies” – A Solo Show by Dawn Reader (March 2026)
Looking further ahead, we’re preparing for a solo exhibition by Dawn Reader, whose atmospheric works capture the drama and serenity of East Anglia’s skies. This show will be a celebration of light, landscape, and local inspiration.

The gallery remains open daily from 10am to 6pm, seven days a week, by appointment. We encourage visitors to call ahead to ensure a personal and immersive experience.

For more on auctions, exhibitions, and current trends, visit our Magazine Page