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Dec 26 2009 John Henry, Unveiled |
 Nina Kaiser's life sized bronze rendering
of the legendary John Henry was unveiled Dec 26, 2009
coinciding with the opening of the 75th anniversary season of
Santa Anita. John Henry's team were all in attendance with
trainer Ron McAnally speaking on their behalf about the
remarkable resemblance to John Henry himself.
Photos |
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Dec 21 2009
DRF Columnist Jay Hovdey
Blogs About the Creation of John Henry |
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It is a symptom
of any poor economy that the art world will suffer. Horse racing
art, such as it is, figures to suffer even more than its
mainstream cousin. A harsh critic might suggest that there are
only a handful of truly accomplished equine artists plying their
trade, producing truly significant painting, sculpture and
photography. Full
blog |
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November 2009 John Henry
Completed, Unveiling Scheduled |
 "John"
arrived at Santa Anita in mid November and will have its
official unveiling on opening day of Santa Anita's 75th anniversary season on
December 26, 2009. Ms. Kaiser is looking forward to seeing John
Henry's many fans, in addition to everyone who has offered her
support and input during the long creation process.
More
info |
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August 2009 "The Bears" Nears Completion |
 Without missing a stride, the versatile
Nina Kaiser accepted a commission from long time thoroughbred
owner and real estate developer Jon Kelly to create a grouping of three larger than
life-sized California Grizzley Bears to be the center piece of
the
Natomas Gateway Tower entry in Sacramento California. The
clay models of "The Bears" are nearing completion and
depict a mother playing with her two cubs. Look for this
piece to be installed in early 2010.
Click
here for
concept photos |
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March 2008 John Henry Piece
Creation Profiled by DRF
Columnist Jay Hovdey |
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 A
fitting tribute takes shape
Nina Kaiser was not happy. Something wasn't quite right. Maybe it was the tilt of the head, or the
width of the chest, or the right knee. That's it. He was just a little bit back at the knee. Or maybe
the hind end in relation to the chest. No, it was the eye, his unforgettable eye. The eye had to be
perfect or else nothing would matter.
Read full story
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January 2008 Santa Anita Commissions
Life-Sized Bronze of John Henry |
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 In
a fitting tribute to the legendary gelding who plied his trade there, Santa Anita is commissioning
Nina Kaiser to create a life-sized sculpture of John Henry. The statue will stand in the paddock
gardens. This is only the second horse in Santa Anita's 73 year history to be so memorialized, the
first being Seabiscuit. "I am extremely honored to be chosen by Santa Anita to create this tribute to
John Henry. I can still see him in my mind's eye as he stood like a statue every morning on his way to
the track", said Kaiser. The unveiling of the piece, to be installed in the paddock gardens, will
take place during the Santa Anita winter/spring 2008-2009 meet. |
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July 2007 "The Finish"
Presented at Colonial Downs |
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Nina Kaiser’s latest release “The
Finish”, commissioned by Colonial Downs for the $1,000,000 Colonial Derby, was presented for the first
time on July 21. The race was won by Peachtree Stable’s Red Giant, who is trained by Todd Pletcher.
“The Finish” will soon be available as Limited Edition.
Jeff Coady Photo
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March 2007
NYRA
Selects Kaiser Piece |
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NYRA
has selected Nina Kaiser’s creation “Playful” to be used as the Owner’s
trophies for the New York Bred Stakes that will be run at the upcoming
spring/summer Belmont Park meeting. |
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February 2007
Colonial Downs Commissions
Trophies for Grass Stakes
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 Colonial
Downs has commissioned Nina Kaiser to create trophies for the Colonial Turf Cup (Gr.III) and Virginia Derby (Gr. II), the first
two legs of the prestigious Grand Slam of Grass. The initial trophies
will be presented this summer. |
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September 2006
FTBOA Commissions New Awards |
 The
Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association has
commissioned Nina Kaiser to create a new sculpture to be used as
their Annual Divisional Championship Awards.
The new awards will
be presented for the first time at the 2007 February Awards dinner
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July 2006
2006 Pincay Award
Presented |
I
Benoit Photo |
The Stute brothers, Mel, left, and Warren, right, accept the
Laffit Pincay Jr. Award from
Pincay, center, Saturday, July 8, 2006, at Hollywood Park in
Inglewood, Calif. The award was designed by Nina Kaiser and is presented for serving horse
racing with integrity, dedication, determination and
distinction. |
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Jan 2006
Santa Aanita Unveils Bust
of Chris McCarron |
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| Former Presidential
candidate Gov. Dukakis and his wife flank artist Nina Kaiser
and Chris McCarron |
The Los Angeles Turf Club unveiled the
life sized bust of
Hall of Fame jockey
Chris McCarron it commissioned
Nina Kaiser to sculpt on January 14. The bust was installed in their
paddock sculpture garden and joins the busts of three other legendary
Hall of Famers, Johnny Longden, Bill Shoemaker and
Laffit Pincay Jr. which Ms. Kaiser
executed in 1992. |
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Oct 2005
Shoemaker Award Presented at Breeders Cup |
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Nina Kaiser's
original sculpture "Shoemaker"
was presented to jockey Garret Gomez on the morning following
the 2005 Breeders Cup. This award, known as The Shoemaker Award,
is presented annually to the jockey who wins the most races on
Breeders Cup day. The 2004 winner was jockey Jose Santos.
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Aug 2005
Del Mar Selects Nina Kaiser to Sculpt
Pacific Classic Winner |
 The
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club has commissioned Nina Kaiser to sculpt
Borrego, the winner of the 2005 Pacific Classic. An artist
each year is commissioned to capture the likeness of the winner
of Del Mar's signature race. Ms. Kaiser is the first
sculptor to be chosen. One cast will be presented to the winning
owners while the other will remain in the permanent collection
of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.
In addition she will also be creating an ongoing trophy to be
given to the leading owner, trainer and jockey of the preceding
Del Mar race meeting. The first ones will be presented in July
of 2006.
photo credit Adam Coglianese/NYRA |
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Aug 2005
Lewis's Donate Serena's Song Sculpture to National Museum of
Racing |
 Robert
and Beverly Lewis recently donated a bronze done by Nina Kaiser
of their former leading money-winning mare
Serena's Song to The
National Museum of Racing in Saratoga New York. The sculpture
was commissioned by the Lewis's in 1997. Other editions of the
bronze were previously given by the Lewis's to trainer Wayne
Lukas and jockey Gary Stevens in appreciation for their work
with Serena's Song.
photo credit Mike Kane/NMR |
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Aug 2005
Nina Kaiser Selected
to Create Del
Mar Trophies |
 Del
Mar Thoroughbred Club has selected Nina Kaiser to create the
annual trophy that honors the leading owner, trainer and jockey
of the each Del Mar race meeting. The first of these trophies
will be presented during the 2006 Del Mar meet. |
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