Simon Wright Makes History as Royal Ascot’s First Ever Artist in Residence
Royal Ascot has long been synonymous with sporting excellence, tradition and spectacle. In 2026, the event added a new chapter to its history by appointing acclaimed equestrian artist Simon Wright as its first ever Artist in Residence.
For Simon, whose work has become renowned for capturing the power, movement and emotion of horse racing, it was a fitting appointment. Throughout the week, racegoers gathered to watch him paint live, offering a unique glimpse into the creative process behind his striking equestrian artworks.
One comment was repeated time and again by visitors to the Royal Enclosure: Simon’s remarkable ability to capture the energy and movement of the horses. Whether depicting the explosive power of a race in full flow or the quieter anticipation before the start, Simon’s paintings bring viewers closer to the emotion and excitement of the sport.
Throughout the week, Simon worked on five separate paintings, each inspired by Royal Ascot and the traditions that make it one of the most celebrated racing events in the world. While the canvases had been started in advance using reference photographs taken months earlier, being present at the event allowed Simon to add something that photographs alone can never provide — atmosphere.
From the roar of the crowd as the horses thundered down the straight, to the elegance of the Royal Procession and the anticipation that hangs in the air before each race, Simon immersed himself in every aspect of the event. Those experiences are now reflected within the paintings themselves, helping to create works that feel alive with the spirit of Royal Ascot.
Being on site also provided Simon with a valuable opportunity to explore the racecourse and gather his own reference material. Throughout the week he photographed horses, jockeys, architecture and key moments around the grounds, building an extensive library of inspiration for future collections. These firsthand observations allow him to capture not just what Royal Ascot looks like, but what it feels like to be there.
The appointment generated considerable interest throughout the week, with Simon undertaking numerous interviews and media appearances. Visitors were fascinated by the concept of an Artist in Residence, and many stopped to watch the paintings evolve day by day. The combination of world-class sport and live artistic creation proved to be a talking point across the racecourse, attracting attention from racing enthusiasts, collectors and members of the media alike.
For Simon, the residency offered a rare opportunity to combine his passion for painting with his love of the equestrian world. For Royal Ascot, it demonstrated the enduring connection between sport, culture and creativity.
The five paintings created during the residency have now returned to Simon’s studio, where they are being refined and completed. Each work will retain the spontaneity and energy of being painted live at Royal Ascot while benefiting from the additional detail and finishing touches that come with studio development.
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As Royal Ascot's first ever Artist in Residence, Simon Wright has not only created a collection of remarkable paintings, but also helped establish what promises to become a memorable new tradition for the event. His work captures far more than horses and racing; it captures the atmosphere, excitement and emotion that make Royal Ascot one of the most iconic occasions in the sporting calendar.
