Willie Affleck

Willie Affleck on his way to the winning post on "Jimmy's Dream" in the Heavy Horse race at Irvine Moor.
This is only one of two paintings in the exhibition where I have painted from an existing photograph. The horizon has been lowered to give the figures more stature and I replaced the background with an impression of the Marymass Fair. You can just make out the infamous Greasy Pole on the left.
This Clydesdale horse, named after Willie's late father, fulfilled Jimmy's ambition to win this event and went on to do so eight times.
This particular day was the first year Willie was made to ride with a saddle, previously he rode bareback.
Willie's long standing involvement in the Marymass event started way back when he was born at 12 noon one Marymass saturday...