Measuring 36 x 24 inches and painted in oil on canvas, ‘Coronation Cup’ was produced by Brett in association with the Jockey Club, as part of the official Platinum Jubilee Celebrations for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the 2022 Derby Festival at Epsom.

Set against the backdrop of the Prince’s Stand at Epsom Downs, ‘Coronation Cup’ depicts runners and riders going to post in this Group 1 race, held on the first day of the Derby Festival each year.

The event was established in 1902 to commemorate the coronation of a new British monarch, King Edward VII. So it is fitting that the same race was chosen as the subject for a painting to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of his great granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II.

The lead horse going to post is Yeats, a winner of the Coronation Cup, ridden by Kieren Fallon. The second horse is Alkaased who was runner up in the same race. Alkaased went on to win the Japan Cup in a course record time, later that same year.

Brett has tried to convey the restrained energy of the horses, as they are ridden in front of the stands, before making their way to post. The Prince’s Stand proudly flies the Union Jack on one of the most prestigious days in the global flat racing calendar.

Every person in the crowd has been painted with purpose. The background is not blurred or generic, as might be the case with a camera lens. Clouds move deliberately in the early summer breeze.

With such attention to detail and the unfolding story in this piece, Brett has ensured that he has produced a fully developed painting, as opposed to a study of a horse or an ‘impression’ of an event.

In this painting The Prince’s Stand represents the monarchy - unchanging amid the bustle of the crowd - whilst the lead horse: Yeats, who is named after the famous painter and is a winner of the Coronation Cup, represents the arts.

This painting underlines how the Royal Family have often used their influential position as a backdrop to showcase the arts.

Brett, who spent six months producing this painting, was himself helped by the monarchy via The Prince’s Trust, when he began his artistic career. He received both mentorship and financial assistance from the Trust.

During this time, King Charles III, then the Prince of Wales, gave Brett considerable encouragement by writing to him on several occasions, commenting on his work. One of Brett’s oil paintings, depicting the Prince’s favourite polo pony, was subsequently auctioned in aid of the Prince’s Trust, alongside one of the Prince’s own artworks.

A fascinating time-lapse film has been produced, showing the painting on display at Epsom and charting its creation from start to finish. It makes thoroughly entertaining viewing.

'Coronation Cup' is available to buy as a limited edition print.