  These images of 1972 Kentucky Derby winner Riva Ridge enjoying his bluegrass retirement at Claiborne Farm perfectly capture the sweet face and kind nature of this often overshadowed Hall of Famer in the Meadow Racing Stable. The tandem images serve as perfect examples of the contrast between his distinguished champion's persona, and his sometimes not-so-distinguished relaxed appearance. "There are some who when you meet them for the first time have a way of making you feel as if you've been friends for years. My first visit with Riva Ridge at Claiborne Farm in 1980 had that effect on me. He comes right up to the fence to say hello and the first thing you notice are those warm friendly eyes. Then he gives you his signature look in which his loppy ears jut out like airplane wings. That's the Riva everyone remembers from his racing days. Even as a stallion he was still as kind and gentle as ever." ~ Steve Haskin "The ear is the avenue to the heart." ~ Voltaire As the fourth offering in Mr. Haskin’s never-before-published photography series, the Riva Ridge Portrait Pair is limited to 50 hand-numbered pieces of each image. Purchase the pair and receive a complimentary black linen folio display foil-stamped with the famed blue and white Meadow Stable Silks. Measures 8” x 10” with larger sizes available upon request. |
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