Graystown's beauty captured by owner Claire
Ursa Major owner Claire Dowling has really caught the eye with these stunning pictures of Graystown.
Claire, who runs Hands and Heels Photography, was at Musselburgh on Sunday to see our chaser, trained by Stuart Coltherd in action.
And Claire managed to capture some stunning images of the 10-year-old. It’s not the first time she has managed to photograph his beauty on track and it is clear she has a real talent for capturing the athletic beauty of the thoroughbred.
Claire said: “I have had an interest in photography for around 20 years with no specific area of interest. I just loved taking photos.
“I started taking much more when I moved to Massachusetts, USA, in 2004 as everything was new and big.
“During my time in the US, I graduated from Long Island University in American History and from Salem State University in American History and Culture.
“When I moved back to Scotland, I continued to take my photos, with taking the majority in landscapes and farming with the majority of it experimenting, getting to know what works and what does not.
“Fast forward to 2018 and I got my first full DSLR with my first proper zoom lens. I have no qualifications or training in photography or media, however I have plenty experience.
“I was always out taking photos, chasing sunsets or combines doing a midnight harvest until the start of 2020.”
She added that when the coronavirus pandemic hit in March 2020 a chance encounter led her to horses.
“I was driving past Musselburgh when there was a race on,” she said.
“I had only ever watched horse racing on TV - never in person. I then looked for the next fixture. Although it was racing behind closed doors, thankfully there was a public path that I could watch from a safe distance.
“I can't say exactly what it is was about that day, watching the horses race and jump, I just knew this was the direction I was going and all my experience was going towards this new passion.
“Photography is a great way for me to express myself and has been a great help with my mental health and now combined into horse racing, this is the direction I want, and am being pulled towards. A positive thing to come out of a global pandemic.”
She added: “I have much more improvement to make towards my racing photography and trying to get as much experience in it as I can. I have only covered Musselburgh, Kelso and Hamilton with living far down the coast in Dunbar, East Lothian.
“Hopefully over time I will get to more meetings and try and take some of the many photo ideas in my head. In-between meetings I am currently doing a bachelor of science degree with the Open University in design and environmental design.”
You can check out Claire’s amazing photos at: www.handsandheelsphotography.co.uk
She has an Ursa specific section at: www.handsandheelsphotography.co.uk/specials/ursa-major-racing-club
Her pictures would make great gifts for fellow owners!
