Munnings began his series of 'Start' paintings in the early 1940s and continued until his death. In virtually all of such compositions, Munnings excludes elements such as the race marshall, crowds or grandstands and focuses exclusively on the field of horses; by removing these distractions, the sense of tension and excitement, which exists prior to the start of a race, is increased markedly. The setting of Newmarket, with its broad, open heathland and big sky contrasts beautifully with the vivid jockeys' silks and provides a fitting backdrop to frame the scene. Munnings was even given permission by The Jockey Club to set up a studio at the course, in an old rubbing-down barn. The series represents another instance of the artist pioneering away from formal equestrian portraiture and instead painting racehorses very much in their element. He provides a telling recollection in his biography, 'I am standing on the course -- the most beautiful course in the world: cloudless October sky, a faint wind from the east....I am looking at the scene, the old, old scene -- a centuries old scene. Horses come up the course looking like those of years ago....Bright colours in the sun just the same as of yore....What a sight for the artist! with the long shadows and the lights on the boots, lights on the horses....This is the best picture I have ever seen.' (Sir Alfred Munnings, The Finish, London, 1952). The present work is undoubtedly one of the most important in the series as it shows a named jockey and horse, whereas in the majority of other 'Starts', the field is anonymous. High Stakes, by Lord Derby's 1933 Derby winner Hyperion out of 1929 Oaks winner Pennycomequick, was one of numerous racehorse commissions from Lord Astor. Sir Gordon Richards (1904-1986) is considered to be one of the greatest jockeys in the history of the turf with 4870 wins. He was British flat racing champion 26 times and, along with A.P McCoy, is the only jockey to receive a Knighthood. In 1926, his debut year, he rode to victory in 118 races. He missed the 1927 season having contracted tuberculosis but recovered the following year. 1932 saw him break the record for wins in a season with 259, a record he broke in 1947 with 269 wins. He won all of the classic races on numerous occasions, except the Derby which eluded him until 1953, when he finally rode Pinza to victory, overtaking the Queen's horse Aureole and the Aga Khan's Shikampur in the final two furlongs.