When Life Races You By

Chapter 3

The big day had finally arrived, Manny’s first race. We arrived around ten in the morning. It was only a small country race, but the atmosphere was still the same, electrifying.

I started to unload Manny, while dad went to find out which stall he was in. We had a few horses racing today, as spring was the time when a new lot of horses started to race.

People were already getting ready for the first race, with people running around everywhere. I walked calmly towards all of the stalls, not wanting to hype Manny up. On the inside I was a nervous wreck.

Manny’s eyes were bright like always and you could tell that he was just born to race. There was not a bead of sweat on his shiny coat, just what I wanted. I had applied hoof oil earlier that morning, so his hooves to were shiny. He was alert, yet not alarmed.

I was quite nervous, as not only was Manny racing, but he was my chance to prove that I am a great trainer. I wanted to be known for being a great trainer, not just being Graham Farwell’s daughter.

“Hey, are you right?” a voice broke my thoughts. I hadn’t realised that I had just stopped in the middle of the path. I turned around to see who it was. Of course it was Ben.

“Oh, yeah, thanks!” I replied. “Just distracted”. Ben gave me a sympathetic smile. God that smile made me melt.

“Your dad told me to tell you that Manny is in stall 8M, with the other horses next to him.”

“Ok, thanks. Hey you haven’t seen Adam have you? He said that he would help with the horses today, because I have Manny to look after.” Even though Adam didn’t normally help, he did promise to help today.

“No I haven’t. I can help if you want though. Manny is my first ride, so I don’t have to get ready till two.” Trust Ben to be the hero.

“That would be great! Their halters are in the front. I’ll see you at the stalls.”

I tossed Ben the keys. He caught them with ease.

“Hey, nice catch,” I exclaimed.

“You know, have to be on my game at all times,” he yelled behind him jokily.

“Yeah, yeah,” I laughed.

                                                                               ~

Once Manny was settled in his stall, I helped Ben with the rest of the horses, while keeping an eye on Manny at all times. The stalls were very simple, but they did the job. They had concrete floors and rails, so the horses could be easily tied. They were in rows from A to Z and numbered one to ten. At the end of each row were two wash stalls, built from red brick that added some history to the track. In these stalls you could also fill up buckets of waters for the horses to drink.

By the time everything was unloaded, set up, horses signed in and silks handed in, it was half past one.

“Dad, I’m going to start getting Manny ready,” I explained to Dad, who was talking to a few of the owners about the other horses.

“Sure, just yell out if you need anything. Ben will be here in half an hour to receive instructions on what to do on the track.”

“Yep,’ I said, popping the p.

I started by brushing him all over. There was nothing worse than riding a horse with an itch. Then I tacked him up, before apply one last coat of hoof oil. I always like to make sure he was looking good.

Ben arrived just as I was finishing up.

“He’s looking great.” Ben nodded towards Manny. “Let’s hope he runs as good as he looks!”

“I’m sure he will.” I stood back to admire my hard work.

“Hi Ben! Ready to go?” Dad said.

“Sure am. Just tell me what I need to do.”

Dad gave him instructions as we headed to the mount yard. With Manny numbered number five, I had to wait while the other horses got in front. Trainers wouldn’t normally lead their horse around the mounting yard, but I liked to.

The mounting yard look professional, with roses bordering the path and a white fence standing between us and the crowd.  There was a patch of green grass in the middle. My nervous died down a little bit, as I felt calm with this familiar routine.

The well-known trumpet tune played over the loud speaker.  

“Alright buddy, give it your best shot,” I whispered to Manny. After a few laps, Ben mounted and it was time to let him go.

“Good luck!” I yelled.

I joined dad, who was standing with all of the other trainers, in the area adjoining the mount yard.

“He’s looking great sweet heart,” dad gave me a reassuring pat on the back. I just nodded, as my nervous had returned stronger than before.

“And they’re off!” the commentator yelled.

The next few minutes felt like hours. It was like everything was in slow motion. I heard the thunder like noise of the horse’s hooves hitting the ground, as they approached the finish line. People were yelling from every direction. The next thing I heard were the results.

“Man’s Best Friend wins in his maiden race.”

I was shock. It wasn’t that I thought he couldn’t win, it just I didn’t want to get my hoped up in case he didn’t.

I basically ran to greet him at the fence, with tears threatening to make an appearance.

“We did it! We did it!” I cheered to Ben.

“We sure did,” he replied with that smile.

“Oh Manny, your just the best!” I exclaimed with a pat, as I led him back to where the owners were waiting. My feeling were written all over my face, with a grin from ear to ear. In fact, I don’t think I have ever been so happy and proud. “You just need to do that every time!”

 

 

 

Author's Note: Hi again! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you did, don't forget to comment, vote, etc. It keeps me going, knowing that people like my writing. If there is a mistake, please let me know as this has not been edited yet. I'll try and update again, but it will probably be a week or so, especially with Christmas approaching. Thanks!