I made this portrait of a rider mounted on a thoroughbred horse in muted sunlight a few minutes before a race. The image reflects his determination to win. His lips are grimly set, head upturned toward future victory, overall projecting strength and confidence. Nevertheless his face shows some diluting of that expression. I perceive just a touch of self-satisfaction in his countenance and a hint of contempt around the mouth, possibly referring to another of the jockeys. Furthermore, weighty detail about the eyes suggests he has something in addition to the looming contest on his mind. He is a veteran professional athlete, surely capable of performing to maximum ability while at the same time sorting his life into pigeonholes.