the rising

[Millie]

ODD NUMBER OUT RIDDEN BY JAYMEE-LEIGH SMITH

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Uno was a large, fine thoroughbred colt. He now stood at 16.3hh and was a mature 3 year old colt. Uno raced only once in his two year old season, placing 5th. And after a seemingly fatal accident his season came to a sudden and tragic end. Uno had broken down on the track during a workout. He held his front right leg up and stood helplessly. His main handler and jockey Jaymee had though this may be the end of his career and possibly even a tragic end to a short life. The vet was rushed onto the track and advised for Uno to be put down and he would need numerous operations to heal the leg and still there was a chance he would never fully recover and he would be box bound for the rest of his life. However, Jaymee had faith in him and although it was heartbreaking to see him like this, the thought of having him put down was equally as heartbreaking. Uno was a fighter, he had never had anything easy and he had fought till this day and Jaymee believed he could fight so much longer aswell. Uno was purchased from a thoroughbred rescue centre and a skinny and lice ridden one year old. Jaymee had personally begged Millie to buy him and she took care of him from that day on. Then when Uno was broken down on the track Jaymee begged Millie once again to have faith in them both and give Uno another chance at life. Millie finally agreed and allowed the vet to take Uno away to be operated on. One and a half long years passed and Jaymee ahd managed to nurse Uno back to better health than ever! Their bond was incredible and no one would be stopping this pair now! Uno had returned to the race track, this time over at The Wire, for his initial few races. He had placed in the top three each time out in his three year old season and Jaymee couldn’t have been happier with him!

Today they were out to get some practice in for their next race. The fields were getting tougher and tougher and Jaymee wanted Uno to have some one to one practice time with her. The entered the track and Uno made a bee line for the inner rail and began walking swiftly beside it. Uno had such a passion for running, made even greater by his appreciation for life in general. Uno skipped sidewards along the rail. Jaymee never bothered if Uno got giddy or fizzy, she thought of it as simply a way of expressing himself and his joy for running and life. Jaymee always gave Uno a good warm up and he also wore support boots on both front legs. His legs were as sound as ever, but Jaymee took all precautions as she didn’t want anything happening to her prized possession again! She also now ran him as a front runner. She didn’t want him getting caught up within the pack. She liked him to be out front, safe and able to do what he wished. This actually seemed to suit Uno better than how she previously ran him, as a closer.

After a good walk around, on both reins, Jaymee pushed Uno forwards into a trot. Uno was such a respectful colt and always did as Jaymee told him to because of their strong bond, love and respect for each other. Jaymee knew exactly how far she could push Uno and when he could do just a little more, which made them such a strong and successful racing couple. Again, she gave Uno a long trot on both reins. He loosened up and began to relax off the bit. He calmed a little and began to work very well for

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