Post by S u N f r O s t ~ on Sept 5, 2008 23:09:39 GMT -5
Contessa's always been a favorite around the barn. As a filly, she was doted upon lavishly, but somehow, managed to remain unspoiled by all the attention. She never really cared if anyone gave her the time of day or not [which has changed, since she discovered that she adores crowds]; as long as she was around her favorite people, nothing else truly mattered. Even at such a young age, her prowess as a racer was obvious. Long legged and deep chested, she passed Augusta's "training" that she gives to all her foals with flying colors. Once a two year old, Tessa was settled into a light regimen to build up mer muscle and stamina. She already had speed enough to spare, and wasn't frightened by the track happenings. After finishing up her initial race training, Contessa was put through trial runs over different surfaces and against a variety of our more experienced racers. To our surprise, she excelled at most distances, although it was obvious she favored a middle distance to run. The track surface didn't matter to her, whether it be sloppy dirt or frozen turf, as long as it's there, she'd run on it.
Near the end of her two year old season, Contessa was finally entered in her first race, the Fathom Undercover Racemeet, where she broke her maiden as well. Following her first victory were a few places and shows in smaller races, and an impressive win in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies, but her main goal was a win in the Dawn Treader Cup. Normally open to only three year olds and up because of the grueling challenges, the November running was opened specially for two year olds. Contessa ended her second season at the Dawn Treader Stadium after coming in a triple dead heat for first with Vendetta and Murder Afire. It was after this race that we first noticed Tessa was a sore loser. For an entire week, she would lash out anyone who passed her stall, and would only pick at her food or take a few sips of water a day. Eventually, we got her back into her normal stride with excessive training and equine pool therapy to give her confidence a boost.
She returned to the track in early spring as a filled-out three year old. It didn't take her long to find her stride, and after running in a few races at MHS, Contessa was shipped to GHF on her international circuit. Her first few races left her a bit shaky, understandable since she was in a new environment, but she adapted quickly to the new tracks and opponents. She ran most of her GII period on GHF along with stable mate Regency. The two were nicknamed the "Filly Dream Team" by our staff, because it seemed if one of them won a race, then the other would place. Her third season was fairly uneventful, and it was decided she'd be retired once she turned four. When spring came around again, Contessa was visibly distressed when she wasn't being worked with the other horses, and would scream so loudly from her paddock that she could be heard all the way to the practice track at Rockstar. Since Contessa's "peaceful" retirement was only causing her [and everyone else] more stress, she was allowed to race as a four year old for a third and final year. She was started late in the season, and didn't pull in any spectacular wins until the Ain' Ya Flashy Stakes. Her second to last race, the Who's More Youthful Stakes, resulted in a fourth, only the seond time Tessa hasn't placed in the money. Coming in behind three of her top rivals left Tessa with an aggressive ruthlessness that wouldn't vanish until she exacted her just revenge. Her final race had been decided before she even rejoined the circuit; the Dubai World Cup. She was put through grueling conditions to prepare for the race, but she welcomed every challenge, and pushe dherself to the limit. And her vigilance was rewarded; a photo finish involving two of her biggest rivals, Vendetta and Wild Flower, revealed that Contessa had managed to get her nose out in front and pulled in a win at the DWC.
Though she's got an impressive record and spectacular blood, Contessa is very down to earth. Of course she has her grandsire's arrogance that occasionally over-powers her sweet attitude, but most of the time, Contessa is the sweetest horse you could ask for. She's gentle and caring, adores foals, and can tolerate even the rowdiest pasture mates. She wouldn't even hesitate to throw herself in harms way if someone she loved was in danger, although thankfully she hasn't yet had to make that decision. She's great to be around. Tessa just has this infectious happiness that makes everyone around her smile. Contessa is a fierce race horse and a bitter rival, but she's still our Tessa, and we wouldn't trade her for the world.
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