Bridle Talk - Part 2

Bridle Talk

Part 2 

By Paul McCann

continued ...

Suzie had really made an impact at her debut on the track . 

Every one had just witnessed one of the greatest efforts made by any horse and jockey on the track . 

After the race the winning trophy was presented to the owner and the jockey 

Was asked to make a speech . The media were focused on Suzie who thanked Mr O’Brien and all the people who had made this moment possible in her life . Immediately a star was born . The entire racing industry had just fallen in love with this very special person who it was rumoured to have been said one of the greatest jockeys ever to have lived . 



As all the jockeys were being mounted up for the second race Mr O’Brien had a quick word to Suzie . 



“Ok you’ve stole the show . Anything you do after this is really just for trimmings . I don’t expect Bay Boy to do anything against this lot . He’s never finished better than fifth in his career . So just give him a run and I’m happy “ 



Suzie went over to Bay Boy before she mounted and said . 

“Hey Bay Boy what’s your problem with O’Brien ?” 



“I don’t have any problem.“ 

Replied Bay Boy . 



“Well he feeds you , gives you new shoes , keeps you warm and dry and you never want to win for him . That’s no way show your gratitude .” 



“Oh don’t talk to me like that Suzie . He’s always happy for me to come fifth or sixth. That what I’m hearing .“ 

Bay Boy said . Suzie thought for a moment and said . 



“Oh I get it Bay Boy .You’re just doing what you think he wants you to do, so you’re keeping him happy . ” 



“Yeah , that’s right Suzie .“ 

She replied 



“Well , if you want my advice , show him for once what kind of horse you really are and leave this field behind in your wake .” 



“Would that make him happy ?” 

You could almost feel the electricity in the air . 



“He would be so proud of you Bay Boy .” 



“Really , so he would like me to win ?” 



Suzie patted Bay Boy softly on his head and said . 

“Yes he would but he doesn’t think you have what it takes .” 



Bay Boy was fired up now . 

“Ok Suzie , I am going to change his mind about how feels . Lets go.“ 





Bay Boy anticipated when the stalls would open and went straight to the front of the filed . There was an immediate challenge for him . One of the favoured runners came along side and had a took a good eyeball across to Bay Boy . 



“Hey Bay Boy. You’re never usually up front . What’s happening ?” 



“Its all about my pride and dignity . My owner thinks I’m a no hoper and I’m going to prove to him I’m not .“ 



The other horse , took a deep breath and went past Bay Boy saying 

“I think you’re a bit out of you league here in this company . See you around the tracks .” 



“Ok Bay Boy . Settle in your running and let him go . He’s already spent his energy , he’ll fall back soon and you can pass him at the turn .” 



Sure enough as they rounded the turn the leading horse began to shorten stride . Now’s the time to show them who you really are Bay Boy . Go my fine four legged friend . “ 



Bay boy went past the leader as if he was standing still . On the way past Bay Boy looked over and said . 



“Horses like you can eat my dust . I’ll be seeing you around .“ 



Bay Boy kicked and went further ahead . With the winning post in sight . the only battle left was on who would come in second and third . Bay Boy had hammered the field winning easily . 



Mr O’Brien was speechless . He raced over to the winning enclosure and immediately said . 



“Suzie I don’t know what you did on his back but that horse is not the Bay Boy I have come to know . I’ve just seen a champion emerge from the pack . Suzie I must say you have just gave me the biggest thrill of my life . I was so proud of Bay Boy out there today . Thank you. I don’t have another runner in the next race so go and take a break . I’ll see you in an hours time for Golden Lights race . ” 



Suzie jumped off Bay Boy and looked up into the crowd .She saw her Mum and Dad waving from the members stand . She could tell how happy they looked . She took off her riding hat and threw it up in the air . Then she blew a kiss to them both . 



As they draped the winning rug and sash around Bay Boy . Suzie held on to the bridle and said . 



‘See I told you . He is so proud of you .” 



“Wow Suzie . That felt so good .” 



Suzie spent her break talking with Golden Light in the stall . 

With momentum on their side . It was basically all over before the race started .The stable were on fire . Golden Light was sent out a red hot favourite and when it was time for the race to start most punters just watched on . 



Suzie could sense Golden Light was not going to loose the race and as they went into the starting gate she said . 



“Ok I’m just along for the ride ok .“ 



The stalls opened and away they went . 

Golden Light took a sit three back on the outside of the field . At the turn she went to the front and accelerated well ahead . There was no contest . 



“Suzie spoke to Golden Light in the enclosure . 

“Always run true like you did today . Be free as the wind . “ 



Before the next race when Arklow was to run Mr O’Brien had a quick word with Suzie . 



“I need you to do me a special favour in this race Suzie . I want you to bring Arklow in third place ok .“ 



“Third ok Mr O’Brien . No problem .“ 



Before Suzie mounted on Arklow she took the bridle and shared a special moment with the horse . 



“There’s no doubt that you’re the best horse in the field . But I have been asked a special favour to ask . We need to come in third .” 



Arklow rubbed his head softly on Suzies face and said . 



“Oh sure . I’ve done that before . The jockey usually ends up pulling back on the reins . When they do that I usually go faster which nearly pulls their arms out of the sockets . I mean who do they think they are .I’m bread to win . Nobody pulls me up .So I appreciate you talking to me about the race before the jump .No problem I’ll come third .” 



Suzie replied , 



“Yeah but third with dignity .So what we’ll do is miss the jump . Like we’ll travel maybe five lengths behind the last horse . That way you’ll have a lot of ground to make up . You’ll really have to be on the pace after the that ” 



“Ok fine . We’ll give them a sight they’ll not forget in a hurry .” 



They were all in behind the starting gates and as they opened Arklow came out last and reared up in the air . To the looker on he seemed well out of commission in the race . 

Suzie sat quietly in the saddle and said . 



“Ok , that looked great . Now what I need you to do is closes your eyes and think there is only one horse ahead of you in the race . Trust me and follow my guide . “ 



“I like challenges ok . I’m running blindfolded . Great .“ 



Are you’re eyes closed ?” 



“They are “ 



“Good . Arklow the horse in front is a half mile ahead of you . There’s no other way to go but down the extreme outside as its all down hill on that side .“ 



Arklow did as he was instructed because he had complete trust in Suzie and her ability . But the real truth of Arklows run was such a miraculous ride never before seen on the track . Suzie pushed Arklow through the field , Weaving in and out between runners , through an eye of a needle hole gap , scraping paint off the fence as it went , making spaces in the field where none existed , 

Placing him in striking distance at the turn to win the race . 



Never before did a rider take as many chances as Suzie had done . 

“How far ahead is the leader now Suzie . 



“You’re still a fair way off the pace: .” 

Came the reply 



“So how far is there to go ?” 



“I can’t say . Maybe a quarter mile .“ 

In fact the race was over and Arklow was in a photo finish for third place . 



Suzie let Arklow do a lap of honour as she waited for the result of the photo . 

The judge finally made the decision and it went in Arklows favour . 



“How far now is the leader ahead now ?“ 



“Arklow you’ve caught up and the race is over .“ 



“So where did I end up ?” 



“Where we wanted , in third place .“ 

Said Suzie , 



Everyone was astonished at Arklows run . It was a truly amazing effort . 

Mr O’Brien was in the enclosure waiting for their return . 



“If I hadn’t have seen it with my own eyes I would never have believed that run . It was unbelievable . Humility Suzie is part of who we must be .We’re not meant to be perfect . So imperfection is in everything we do . I think three wins out of four runs isn't a bad effort at the end of the day .”





The End 



By Paul McCann