The Sport Of Kings

[Millie]

THE SPORT OF KINGS

Ridden by Indey McCall

Ridden by Jaymee-Leigh Smith

Ridden by Millie Daveys

Racing really was the Sport of Kings. The most majestic animals ran dominant on the track and brought home the prize. Arlequinn, Strictly A Hero and This Means War - 3 colts who were all stabled and trained at Oak Hill Farm and who all had the potential to become kings of the track! Arley was an unstarted two year old, however he posesed a very promising prospect record of 4:2:1:0. Harry and Ans were both unstarted as three year old, however they both broke into grade five in their two year old seasons with one and two wins.

Arlequinn, the least in experienced of the three headed down the track in a slightly quieter tone than usual, trailing at the back of the pack, perhaps slightly intimidated by the presence of the two others. Indey aimed to bring Arley out of his shell today and bring him back to his usual giddy self in time for race day. She believed all he needed was a good run with some other horses and a little confidence boost. Harry and Ans walked more or less side by side, ahead of Arley. The two were also pretty quiet today, probably since they were out the previous day also, preparing for their comebacks.

The three horses made their way down the track in a pleasent walk, all three jockeys sat quietly as the horses behaved themselves. Half a lap in walk and Millie was the first to push Ans forwards to trot. He pricked his ears and bounced into a forward going trot. At the sight of this Arley lifted his head a little and began to pick up the pace. Indey pushed him forwards too and he instantly picked himslef up and strided forwards into a lovely long trot. Harry and Jaymee followed a length behind.

As they made their ways around the track Arley began to come more and more into himself. Within no time at all he was confidently trotting ahead with Ans, as Harry quietly followed. Harry tended to keep quiet until he needed to show himself. He in no way would allow anyone to bully him though and still had as much love and passion for running as any other horse.

Millie took the decision to take the lead of the group and pushed Ans forwards into a forward going canter. Ans happily took the lead and drifted over to the rail to take up his favourite position. Arley began to chomp on the bit and sped up in his trot, skipping occasionally trying to break into canter. Once Indey had him trotting how she wanted him to again, she then allowed him to move forward into a bouncy, quick canter. She moved him over to the rail also and they took up a position about 5 lengths behind Millie and Ans. Harry and Jaymee had kept relatively quiet so far. As Jaymee saw the other two canter off. She allowed Harry to canter on. Something sparked in Harry at that moment, his ears pricked and he sped off quickly catching up to Arley in seconds. Jaymee steadied him up and allowed him to breeze next to Arley.

Millie held Ans back slightly, allowing the other two to catch up. As they came up at Ans' hauntches Millie gave them the nod and the three pushed for gallop. Today they would all do a three furlong breeze. Really more than anything, today was for Arley to build some final confidence before his big debue and for the other two to stretch their legs before their first races of the season.

Ans kept his place on the rail. Arley began to come up on his outter side, whilst Harry became trapped on the rail behind the two. Usually Jaymee would try to get him out of this situation, but since today was just a leg stretcher she decided to keep their position and not cause any bother. The three remained in a steady gallop for a further furlong. Noone shifted position much, Ans broke away a bit further and Arley followed, but nothing drastic.

Coming out onto the back straight and the final furlong and a half, Jaymee pushed Harry forward. Even though they were just breezing today, she did want Harry to come trailing in 5 minutes later with his confidence at 0. She wanted him to feel as though he had had just as good of a run as the others. Harry pulled away from the rail and moved right into the centre of the track, lining up with Arley's haunches.

Ans remained still slightly ahead, he was the strongest and most confident runner of the three at the moment, however by the looks of things Arley sure would give him a run for his money. Also, Jaymee was hoping that Harry would mature into himself more this year, so who knows, maybe it will be Harry leading the pack in six months time.

The last furlong approached. All riders pushed their horses forwards a little. Arley, being bred for sprinting, pushed ahead of the pack. Indey held him back a little, not wanting him to bomb off ahead, but she allowed him to hold a little of the lead. He crossed over the finish line, brimming with confidence! Ans and Harry came in together, just behind. All jockeys felt that today they had achieved what they had set out to do! Arley had gaiend confidence, and Ans and Harry had got out to stretch their legs to get ready for the first races of the season!