My Favorite Photographs of 2016

At this time last year, as we still celebrated the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years (and first Grand Slam winner in history), it was difficult to imagine what 2016 would bring. How could it even begin to fill the hole left by American Pharoah's retirement?

But thanks to California Chrome, Songbird, Beholder, Arrogate, Nyquist, and a host of other names, 2016 stood alone. 

Here are my favorite photographs of 2016. Curious about my favorite race? Check it out here.

It was thrilling to watch newly-crowned Canadian Horse of the Year Catch a Glimpse bounce and prance as she schooled in the Keeneland paddock on Blue Grass Stakes Day. See my complete post about that day here.

Few places are as beautiful as Keeneland's paddock in spring.

In a thrilling finish, Weep No More and Corey Lanerie win the Ashland Stakes (Gr. I) over a courageous Rachel's Valentina. I love Weep No More's flying tail in this photo--it almost appears flaxen in the faint sunlight.

Brody's Cause and Luis Saez win the Blue Grass Stakes (Gr. I). As it was recently demoted to Grade II status, this was, for the time being, the last Grade I running of the storied Blue Grass Stakes. I enjoyed the long, loping stride and pricked ears of Brody's Cause here.

Through grandsons Tapit and Lucky Pulpit, A.P. Indy's bloodline enjoyed a runaway year at the races. While California Chrome (Grade I Dubai World Cup and Pacific Classic Stakes) worked to become the richest Thoroughbred in history, Frosted (Grade I Met Mile and Whitney Stakes), Creator (Grade I Belmont Stakes), Time and Motion (Grade I Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes), and more dominated the headlines.

Here, A.P. Indy strikes a classic pose.

I couldn't pick just one A.P. Indy photograph. It was a real treat to see the old stallion gallop in his paddock, just for fun. 

A.P. Indy's close connection with longtime groom Asa is apparent. Who knows how many decades or centuries the stallion's bloodline will influence the Thoroughbred? A.P. Indy doesn't know, but he does know Asa. As any other horse, he lives in the present, and his health and happiness are dependent upon those closest to him.

2016 was a time of experimenting for me, and that included taking the dive into remote photography. Here, One Mean Man and Robby Albarado win the American Derby (Gr. III) on Million Preview Day at Arlington Park. See the rest of the photos from that day here.

Kasaqui (ARG) is walked in the Arlington Park paddock prior to winning the Arlington Handicap (Gr. III). 

Secret Someone leads early in the Modesty Handicap (Gr. III) at Arlington Park.

Saratoga may have more historic charm and Keeneland may have the loveliest spring and fall backdrops, but I dare say that no track can compete with Arlington Park's overall beauty. I particularly love this angle, which catches part of the gorgeous white grandstand and the whimsical yellow and white tents. 

The patch of sunlight spotlighting Secret Someone is a nice touch, too. 

Greengrassofyoming narrowly denied The Pizza Man (outside)--and two others--in the Stars and Stripes Stakes (Gr. III) at Arlington Park. I love photographs that don't quite look like photographs, and this one reminds me of paintings of horse races.

The remote shot I took of the same race was interesting, as well!

Cherry Wine and Mike Smith are walked in the Arlington Park paddock prior to the Secretariat Stakes (Gr. I) on Arlington Million Day. See my complete Million Day post here.

Mike Smith leads the Arlington Million (Gr. I) jockeys into the Arlington Park paddock.

It's always a thrill shooting the Arlington Million (Gr. I), so of course I had to choose this photograph of Mondialiste and Daniel Tudhope winning Arlington Park's crown jewel.

Beloved Illinois-bred The Pizza Man failed to repeat in the Arlington Million (Gr. I), but he did win the Northern Dancer Turf Stakes (Gr. I) at Woodbine next out.

Although it's different, and not suitable for editorial use, I quite like the flare and motion of this photo, taken later in the afternoon on Arlington Million Day at Arlington Park.

Hero's Highway wins an allowance race at Arlington Park on Arlington Washington Lassie and Futurity day. See the rest of my photos from that day here.

Arlington Park's beautiful paddock on a late summer day.

Ears up, Diadura wins the Arlington-Washington Lassie by 5-1/2 lengths with Carlos Marquez, Jr., in the saddle.

Led by Mitchell Murrill, the jockeys enter the paddock for the Arlington-Washington Futurity (Gr. III). Four Footed Fotos photographer Ryan Thompson--a hard-working fixture at the Chicagoland tracks--crouches in the background.

I love this photo of Oso Ready kicking out in the post parade before the Arlington-Washington Futurity (Gr. III) largely because it happened so fast that I didn't see it with my naked eye. The clods of all-weather track flying through the air tipped me off, however, so I checked my camera to see what had happened and found this. The storm clouds to the south lend further drama.

E. T. Baird looks back after Wellabled wins the Arlington-Washington Futurity (Gr. III) by 7-3/4 lengths.

A.P. Indian is walked in the Keeneland paddock prior to winning the Phoenix Stakes (Gr. II) on Keeneland's fall opening day. To see the rest of my photos from this day, click here.

A filly rears playfully in the Keeneland paddock prior to the Darley Alcibiades (Gr. I). The filly's name? Fun.

Angel Cruz celebrates his first graded stakes win aboard Dancing Rags in the Darley Alcibiades (Gr. I).

Here's another photo I'd file beneath "fun, but not suitable for editorial use". Taken a few strides after the one above, it has a playful rainbow flare beneath Dancing Rags.

My favorite remote of the year is this shot of Classic Empire and Julien Leparoux winning the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (Gr. I) on Shadwell Turf Mile Day at Keeneland. To see my complete post on this day, click here.

Here, Miss Temple City and Edgar Prado win the Shadwell Turf Mile (Gr. I). Not only was it neat to see a mare win this race, but the race's post time being over a half hour late (due to a power outage at Keeneland before the first race) meant the race was run in the coveted Golden Hour, which made the light at usually-difficult-to-shoot Keeneland spectacular.

The post parade for the Mrs. Revere Stakes (Gr. II) beneath the twin spires at Churchill Downs. The day was cold and dark, but the iconic twin spires can make any photograph.

Gun Runner and Florent Geroux win the Grade I Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs. To see the rest of my photos from this day, click here.

Curious about my favorite photographs of 2015? Check them out here.