Brothers In Arms

[Isabelle]

Gallant Knight workout with Flashy Wings

Knight had finally come off with his first season win, also having placed in every race he had run so far this year. With those six strong feats, it was time to mix things up and get new fire for the Thoroughbred to maintain his excellent training and racing results. He was primed for the summer circuit, but Isabelle wanted to give him a little something special as a reward for his hard work, and also as a new spark for his engine. A training race with his Grade One brother Flashy Wings!

Gallant Knight had a bit of shadowing to his brother, he too was a preferred stalker and liked the distance races. Although not nearly as consistently raced in the past, Knight was heading for another solid year and a half of competition and Isabelle was hoping he would gain solid ground as a respectable racer. While they waited for Flashy Wings to arrive at the track, Isabelle gave Abigail some last minute instructions before the jockey mounted up. Settling into the saddle, the no-nonsense, focused woman pressed a wayward strand a hair back under her helmet and gathered up her reins.

With a huge stride, the seventeen hand tall chestnut closed to gap to the dirt track with ease in far less lengths than the average racer used. With fluid motion, Abigail got the even rhythm down as they ambled along the outside rail, starting a warm up. Turning her head towards the barns she noticed Flashy Wings arrive, and cued Knight to pick up a trot. She didn't want the colt to see his brother just yet-they weren't sure how the two would respond to each other. Keeping Knight's attentions on the track and soft dirt footing, she circled back and headed towards the main gate, picking up intermittent lengths of cantering to get the blood flowing.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

There had been a lot of new blood on the tracks lately - new people, with new aspirations. The biggest stables in racing, thirsting for new blood, had given these new stables some of the finest lined horses in the industry. Big transfers had been made as overloaded stables unloaded on new stables. Amber Black had gleefully been apart of that crowd. Henna Turath shook her head in amusement as she remembered all the phone calls, the hysterical cackling, the never-ending forms of persuasion Amber had used to get other stables to take in more and more horses.

One such stable they had conned into taking more horses was Ivory Storms. After all of that interaction together, the owner Isabelle had convinced Amber to get a workout in with Flashy Wings with his brother Gallant Knight. Well, half brother anyway. Henna had not minded it - she missed riding the stallion. So here she was, riding her stallion out to meet his younger brother. Gallant Knight was a colt Amber had fantasized about snatching up for the Triple Crown last season, but had given up on. Horse overdose and all that. Henna thought it was for the better than Knight go to a new stable who could devote more time and resources to him.

Speaking of, she spied the chestnut four year old now. Gallant Knight was a gorgeous creature with a lot of power in his motions. Flashy Wings had the same power, and Henna could relate. Her blood bay stallion strode over the dirt with authority, set on a collision course with Knight until Henna spotted Isabelle on the railing. It would be only prudent to stop there first - plus, it seemed the rider up on Knight had the good sense to be cautious. Two stallions approaching each other on the track, even if related, could turn out to be a deadly encounter.

Henna smiled brightly as she pulled Flashy Wings up parallel to the track rail. Flash stood patiently, eyes on the track as Henna spoke. Hey Isabelle. I'm Henna Turath, Flash's rider. Excited for the workout?

[Isabelle]

Isabelle was eyeing Knight's gait, committing his preferred stride to memory. It was essential to know every horse's normal movement to make sure they were always fit and healthy, not to mention to check for stiffness. She was a big believer in a solid warm up, the last thing anyone wanted was a laid up racehorse stuck in a stall! After a few minutes she was satisfied, and looked up as Henna approached her. I'm pleased to meet you Henna, I am so excited for this training session! It is not every day such a respected and top stable like SOPS is willing to take the time to help the new comers. Waving Abigail over, Isabelle took a good look at Flashy Wings. He was a tremendous colt, not as large as Knight but extremely impressive. She had never been this close to such a high winning horse before!

With prancing feet Knight scampered over, bobbing his head catching sight of his brother. His ears pricked and he nickered a greeting, it had been some time but he still remember Flashy. With a side step and near half pass towards the rail, it almost seemed like he was saying, Look at me, now! With a laugh Abigail sidled closer to Henna and Flashy, as it appeared there wouldn't big a major colt fight. Extending her hand, she introduced herself to the other rider. I'm happy to meet you, maybe you can give me some tips on riding this big guy after we race.

With both jockey's attention, Isabelle explained that they didn't need to act like it was a major stakes race, they weren't running the Kentucky Derby that morning. The main goal was to get Knight some experience racing a stronger and fully developed racehorse, to try and light a bit of a fire under his tail. They would be going ten furlongs, and for seven to eight of those just letting the horses breeze it out mostly, but let them loose in the last two and just see what happens. Isabelle added a laugh at the last part, partly in the hopes of seeing the power of Flashy and partly in hopes that Knight would find a brand new speed gear they hadn't yet seen before.