From book: Degas painted this picture between 1873 and 1875. It shows the jockeys and their mounts approaching the start. He has chosen a quiet moment before the race begins, rather than the drama of galloping horses, as he is more concerned with the atmosphere than with documentary detail. The bright colors of the jockeys’ shirts and caps provide a marked contrast to the dull green background. The main group of riders appears on the front of the garment and a group of more frisky horses gives added interest to the back.