“Photographer Seeking Models” read the subject line of the email that Erin Pfister, manager of the Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue, received one late summer morning.

The message, from acclaimed commercial photographer Leon Steele, went on to describe his artistic interest in equine photography and inquired about a visit to the New York rescue to shoot some of the farm’s residents. Pfister knew immediately that seventeen year old Evening Attire - with his snow white coat and tremendous back story - would make the perfect subject.

As a gelding, Evening Attire (Black Tie Affair - Concolour) raced until the age of ten and is best known for his career on the New York racing circuit. He won a race at all three New York tracks, a total of fifteen wins (nine of them stakes), including the Queens County Handicap and the Saratoga Breeders’ Cup Handicap twice.

Evening had been castrated early on because of trouble breaking from the gate, and throughout his career remained a horse that shined at the end of the race - from the quarter pole to the wire - when it counted the most. He finished with $2,977,130 in career earnings and, in 2002, won the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Leon Steele, born and raised in the UK, sought out Akindale as a way to take photos that could benefit a great cause. His equine work focuses on the inherent dignity of the horse, and recalls the style of the English horse portrait painters of the 1700′s and early eighteenth century. With a long career in studio work, the character of the horses and rhythms of farm life provide an artistic influence that marry beautifully with Steele’s consummate technical skills.

For his part in the work, Evening Attire was equally professional and most natural in the spotlight - not unlike his retirement celebration in the Belmont Park winner’s circle in 2008. Retired life took a bit of adjustment but Pfister reports he has since found his inner “lazy boy” and frequently has to be coaxed from his afternoon siesta to come inside for a meal. Though he arrived with a reputation as “not the warm and fuzzy type,” Evening quickly became Pfister’s closest equine companion.



Akindale is home to a current herd of 140 horses on 1000 acres of pristine land in Pawling, New York. Founded in 2006 by John Hettinger, a respected businessman, philanthropist, and life-long thoroughbred owner and breeder, ATBR has rescued more than 100 horses directly from auction houses such as New Holland, PA, where they are destined for slaughter.

Prior to his death in 2008, Hettinger fought vociferously against horse slaughter and inhumane transportation of horses bound for slaughter in Canada and Mexico. His property was deeded in perpetuity to provide for the ongoing care of these horses and ATBR’s mission of “providing a safe haven for thoroughbreds no longer able to race” is expanding to include training and more aggressive communication about their horse adoption program.

Evening Attire, however, is one horse that will spend the rest of his years as the program ambassador at Akindale, His birthday is celebrated with an annual “Black Tie Affair” in honor of his amazing career, exceptional spirit, and the ongoing ATBR mission.

Leon Steele is available for commission portrait work and sells limited edition fine art prints.

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