Post by Isabelle on May 14, 2015 12:41:33 GMT -5
VICTORIOUS
For those of you who have been around Green Horse Fields and The Wire the past two years, you are aware of Isabelle and North Diamond Manor (formerly Ivory Storms Stables). For those of you who are new, this is your chance to meet. When Isabelle entered the scene, it was June of Year Fourteen, just in the ending throes of all the triple crown sets. There was a lot of excitement, and although no chance for Isabelle to participate it sparked an immediate hook to the game - she wanted to win a triple crown set. Of course later the Breeder's Cup and other major races would sink her further into the game, but that original spark of the Triple Crown remained.
Isabelle worked hard on her four created horses the remainder of Year Fourteen and into Year Fifteen, forgoing acquiring more horses for most of this time while learning the game. Mistake? Maybe. Maybe not. When the Triple Crowns came around, Isabelle was a very long shot-and she knew it. But she was going to try anyway with two horses, Lookin' Back Lucky for Turf Triple Crown and Maliah for Triple Tiara. Unfortunately Lucky's last place showing prompted Isabelle to pull both horses, seeing that her horses were not up to the class and not wishing to harm their careers. Hopes dashed, Isabelle watched others take the victories of those races.
Shortly after, out of the blue, came up a post from Sunfrost. A stable had ended their time, and she had ended up with buyback reserves on a horse named Impress the Moonlight. She did not have time or room for the filly and was looking for a new home for the two year old.
Isabelle immediately jumped for the filly, having recently gotten Impress the Moonlight's dam, Moondance, as her first broodmare, and liking the sire of the foal, Impressario. For those of you who are new, Impressario is the first Triple Crown winner of GHF, and in the Hall of Fame. Moondance is a Breeder's Cup winner who also participated in high class triple crown races and world cups.
Luck was on her side, as Sunfrost saw the potential Isabelle possessed to do the filly right, and Isabelle vowed to work even harder learning the GHF/TW racing systems to give the bay Thoroughbred the best career possible. For the rest of Year Fifteen, Isabelle acquired a lot more horses (just ask Sunfrost, *ahem*), and lured out the help of Ripley and Cavallo in understanding racing cards and what chances were best for the different types of horses.
Up until now, Isabelle and her team were mostly the underdogs. Every win was a victory, and took a lot of planning, organizing, and work to get! There are no handouts here, competition is fierce. Victories are earned, not awarded randomly. Isabelle learned that the hard way, but she was determined to continue to seek her dream-the elusive Triple Crown. Stables came and went, but Isabelle kept working with Lily through five wins, four major HOTY snags as a two year old. The ending of the year Lily just missed her Breeder's by a whisker, but was honored with the Best Grade Four Horse of the Year award.
Isabelle spent much of the end of the year of Year Fourteen working on the racing card for season Fifteen-she again had her sights on the elusive Triple Crown. Could Lily do it? Out of seven starts in mostly crown prep races Lily placed in the top three every time. She edged up into Grade Three status, and Isabelle noticed the tougher colts entering into the Turf Triple Crown, and switched her filly to the Turf Triple Tiara, competition she knew and had faced before.
Going in as the favorite, Lily swept through the Debutante Stakes, fresh and strong she battled her competition hard. Isabelle was ecstatic, but also worried, as her competition was so fierce . . . was it a one shot deal? There had never been a TTT champion before, odds were stacked against the team that they could pull it off. Isabelle worked Lily carefully, on her own, and with more experienced and less experienced stable mates. The stable owner did everything she could think of to help Lily be as strong and prepared as possible.
Entering into the Cotillion Stakes, fevers were high and Isabelle was biting her nails, covering her eyes. Lily took it in stride, and made the win! Bumping herself into Grade Two status, Isabelle about fainted on the spot. The bay filly was fighting hard for her wins, the competition was amazing she was up against. Lily had heart, and she was showing her true drive and determination to win.
It was a long while before the Duchess Stakes came around, and only two competitors remained for Lily, but both had tons of potential and could pull out an upset. Going in as the favorite for the third time, everyone wondered if Lily was too tired, if she would come up just short, if she wouldn't have the drive to win the third, and hardest, of the three races. Isabelle was beside herself for weeks, wondering and hoping her initial dream would come true. Lily was by far the top horse in North Diamond Manor, she had the best breeding and the most class-and the best racing card.
On race day, Impress the Moonlight was calm and ready. Isabelle was a nervous wreck. For an unknown reason Lily fell after the gates opened (Isabelle about fainted in the stands watching), but recovered well and went forward without showing signs of being rattled. Isabelle was amazed at how hard her filly was trying, she knew she had so much heart and desire to run, but Lily was blowing her mind. The trio of horses was tight and the battle was insane. Clawing her way from the back of the pack and after a fall Lily showed the racing world she wouldn't be denied her win-and Isabelle finally felt the dream of winning the Triple Crown.
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The first concern was of course Moonlight's knees, which were and are just fine. Dirty and sweaty, but sound and solid. After that, the flowers and trophies of victory were presented much to everyone's excitement. Someone had to pry the microphone away from Isabelle-but beyond that the owner of North Diamond Manor showed poise and grace and . . . aw heck Isabelle was an insane crazy lady! Who are we kidding? She was hopping around like a two year old on a sugar rush. Lily was of course more dignified, a shining example of her legacy, hard work, and determination.
So GHF has its first Turf Triple Tiara Champion victor, Isabelle had a dream come true. Impressario and Moondance have created an outstanding filly full of heart and the ability to do the seemingly impossible.
Where are Lily and Isabelle going next? Why, on to the Breeder's of course! And we cannot forget there are three other sets of the Triple Crown. The second best thing about achieving a dream, is you can find a new dream. One thing is for certain, Isabelle and North Diamond Manor are here to stay. And perhaps they aren't as much of an underdog as they were before. It will be interesting to see what pans out the rest of this season, but Impress the Moonlight will be around for a good, long time. Competition? Bring it on!
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This message was brought to you in part by Moondance and Impressario, proud parents of Impress the Moonlight. I heard they are throwing a horse's only party in the back west paddock of NDM. Invitation only, BYOC (bring your own carrots).
