Unbridled: The artist inside the animal

Some could confuse a Manet with a Monet, but no one would mistake either for a Moneigh.

PHOTOS BY ANDREW MILLER staff Barbara Luna, of ReRun Inc., gives Talkin Thunder a look at the palette while Michelle McSweeney holds the horse steady at Monmouth Park in Oceanport on Sept. 24. While the first two terms are the surnames of French impressionist painters, the latter describes paintings in a more modernistic vein. The artists of these "new age" works of art? Horses.

The animals' artwork is being sold to benefit ReRun, a nonprofit organization that finds loving homes for retired racehorses.

In celebration of the Breeders' Cup being held at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport this year, Frederick Galleries in Allenhurst will feature 12 Moneighs Sept. 25 to Nov. 10 in "The Breeders' Cup: A Celebration of Thoroughbred Racing."

Frederick Galleries Manager Nancy Haulenbeek said she got the idea to host the Moneighs from Jackie Dalton-Firorito, a former jockey who told her about ReRun. The exhibit will feature paintings by racetrack champions John Henry and Cigar, as well as work by human artists.

Talkin Thunder puts his signature hoofprint on a Moneigh. Some of the Moneighs in the show were created on the morning of Sept. 24, outside trainer Tim Hills' barn at Monmouth Park. There, several equine artists gathered to create their own, unique designs.

Assistant trainer Michelle McSweeney, of Long Branch, held Talkin Thunder, a 3- year-old chestnut colt, while Barbara Luna, ReRun's executive director, dipped his nose in nontoxic paint and let him express himself on canvas.

Big City Danse and Big City Pat, two racehorses that share the same mother and are owned by Fair Haven residents Liz and Matthew Mosca, also created paintings for the show. Big City Pat, a 3-year-old New Jersey bred gelding, used purple, green and yellow hues.

"He's picked up a check every time he's run this year," Luna commented as the horse signed his work with a hoof print.

BJ, a 19-year-old former racehorse who has also had careers as a pony horse, which is the horse that leads racers to the starting gate, and a show horse, can now also tack "artist" onto his résumé.

Led by McSweeney's 5-year-old daughter, Mariah, the gentle giant painted the canvas with his tongue after licking off the proffered paint.

"BJ has his own style," Luna said, adding that BJ is well known to those who have visited Monmouth Park's Dawn Patrol program, which gives the public a glimpse of life behind the scenes at the racetrack.

"BJ was the star of the show," she said.

Trueamericanspirit, a grey gelding owned by Tom Swales, of Tee-N-Jay Farm in Jamesburg, used his owner's red and yellow racing colors to paint a Moneigh. The 8-yearold New Jersey-bred stakes winner will likely retire to Tee-N-Jay Farm later this year, but "in his heyday, he could do it all," McSweeney said.

Frederick Galleries, located at 111 Main St. in Allenhurst, will hold an evening reception Oct. 11. Once the exhibition ends, all of the Moneighs will be available for purchase.

For more information, visit www.rerun.org or call (215) 272-6716.