Katie Walsh Winner

The £12,000 Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2013 has been awarded to Spencer Murphy for his photo of jockey Katie Walsh, my favourite in what I thought was a humdrum shortlist this year. Murphy shot a series of jump jockeys portraits for Channel Four. He says "I was keen to include Katie. I wanted to show both her femininity and the toughness of spirit she requires to compete against the best riders in one of the most demanding disciplines in horse racing" (CLICK). He succeeded brilliantly. The exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London opened today and runs until 9 February 2014.