For more than 25 seasons, Bill Denver, of Equi-Photo, has documented the scene at Monmouth Park racetrack in Oceanport as official photographer, capturing moments from the morning sun rising over the paddocks and sleek thoroughbred racers at ease, to the anticipation at the bugle’s blow, the exhilaration of the race, and the faces in the crowd.
Beginning with a cocktail reception on Thursday, Sept. 16, the veteran lensman will offer a unique look inside the daily life of Monmouth Park, with an exhibit of recent photography titled “Racing at the Shore.”
Denver’s first solo show and reception will be held at the Blue Bay Inn in Atlantic Highlands. The exhibit will run through Sept. 28 at the inn, 51 First Ave., in tandem with a pair of weekend events at the track — the New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival spotlighting the best of Jersey-bred horses on Sept. 18, and the Monmouth Park/Meridian Health Steeplechase Festival on Sept. 25, a benefit for K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital.
With some 20 digital custom color prints offered for display and sale, the “Racing at the Shore” retrospective exhibit features images dating from this summer and other recent seasons at Monmouth Park, including scenes from the 2007 Breeders’ Cup.
A Shrewsbury resident whose freelance photojournalism work has been featured by The Associated Press, the Wall Street Journal and the Daily News, Denver will be present at the show’s reception, proceeds of which will be dedicated to the Jockey Through Life Scholarship Fund at Brookdale Community College.
The Jockey Through Life Scholarship Fund was established by Jacquie Dalton-Fiorito, a Brookdale alumna and former thoroughbred jockey, as a way to inspire and reward dedicated students who have faced “hurdles” in their journey to succeed. The annual $500 scholarship is awarded to a returning student (25 years of age or more) enrolled at Brookdale who plans to transfer to a fouryear college or university.
For more information, call 732-535-0773.