Infiltrate

The range rover rumbled into the yard, and Anna switched it off and got out. She flicked her hair out of her eyes and strode past stalls of thoroughbreds and into the office. She knocked once on the door, but recieved no reply. She decided to have a look around; see if the owner was with the horses. She knew that was where she'd be instead of a boring old office.

A chestnut mare peered curiously over her stable door and nickered across the yard to a black. Anna stroked her softly, allowing the mare to smell her scent. She was calm and good natured, the opposite of your steriotypical tb. Her nameplate read 'Bondgirl'. Her long flaxen mane flopped into her liquid brown eyes. Obviously she wasn't still racing; she seemed mature and broodmare-y. It wasn't until she pricked her ears and picked up her head that the owner of Red&Sky realised that the breeder had come along.

Nicky Durrant was a well respected breeder with about twelve broodmares and two stallions. Her well equipped paddocks contained throughbreds of every colour and size, every temperament and rank. Anna had come to see if the hype about the farm was true - and whether she had any horses for sale.

"Hey, I'll be with you in one second." Nicky was a stocky woman with frizzy light red hair and a pale complexion. She carried a saddle with a bridle looped over the top. She walked with a confident stride towards Anna, dumping the saddle over a rail in the process, the girth slipping down to trail on the floor. She picked it up and restuck it over the saddle, tutting, then wiped her hand on her jeans and offered it to the newcomer.

Anna took it and nodded, "Yep. Here about a colt," she smiled and laughed: "I hope you have some ready?" The woman nodded and returned the smile.

"There's a few colts to be sold off, out of our own mares and by our stallions. They're untrained for anything but a halter and a saddle, but they're real lookers and nice movers. They're ready to go, if you're interested. Come this way - they're out in the small paddocks." Nicky led the way, stopping to gather a halter from the tack room. "They're pretty rough though - you know how young horses are!"

"Yes, unfortunately I've had a few run ins with some spritely colts, and have the bruises to prove it," Anna chuckled. The breeder definitely knew her stuff. The fields were well kept and the horses were healthy and happy. She recognized a retired racer or two in the paddocks, including Fireman, a grey stallion she'd had her eye on a few years back. His race record was faultess, and he was known for passing on his talents to his offspring.

On the way Nicky asked her name, and exhaled at the mention of Red&Sky. "Heard about your stable, I have. ' Be good to have one of mine go off to yours."

You could hear the yearlings before you saw them. They rounded a bend in the field and came from behind a tree, galloping madly, heads in the air and voices in high spirit. Nicky facepalmed and shook her head. "Do they ever learn?" Fireman and the other stallions looked up, ears pricked, and snorted in amusement. Thankfully, all but one colt stopped near the gate and gazed inquizitively at the humans. The bay colt that had failed to brake in time swerved at the gate, slid to a stop and puffed, disgruntled.

"Okay. There are four to choose from. That bay over there? That's a Green Cross boy - good looking, but has terrible brakes and concentration," she pointed to the yearling who failed to stop. Green Cross was a big Irish stallion who'd had a fair race record. "There, that chestnut - he's also by Green Cross. The second bay with the white face is a Tarrento son, and the big grey is by our very own superstar; Fireman." Nicky glanced at Anna and saw each name register in her face. A chance for a Fireman colt? There was no way R&S could pass this up.

"The grey looks good, what's his name?"

"Well...we call him Sam, but his registered name in Infiltrate. Fireman X Bondgirl. You saw Bondgirl back at the yard - and I assume you know of Fireman?" When Anna nodded, she continued, "He's huge already; we expect him to end up around 18 hands, like his daddy. Good paces, moves fluently. A gentleman in all aspects, apart from being a devil in closed spaces. And yeah, really fantastic to train - really intelligent," she placed a finger on the gate. "D'you want me to get him out for you?"

Anna nodded and supressed a squeal of delight. She'd already got her heart set on him, even before Nicky brought him out, pushed the others back in, and proceeded to trot him up in front of her on the tarmac path. God, he was stunning. He was already almost totally rose grey; quick to grey out. He was alert, he skipped over the ground, and when he slowed and was brought to her, he sniffed her friendily. Anna stroked his soft nose. He could move, he was conformationally correct, he was sweet...And his daddy was Fireman.

Anna bought him, and phoned Amelia to ask her to bring over the trailer. Stupid idea to go see a horse without a trailer, buy ah well. Millie fawned over the colt as Anna sorted out his papers.

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Name: Infiltrate
Barn Name: Sam, Sammy
Breed: TB
Gender: Stallion
Height: Matures 17.1hh
Age: 1½ yo
Bloodlines: Starter (Fireman X Bondgirl)
Colour: Rose/fleabitten grey, chestnut base
Genetics: ee/AA/Gg
Build: Racer's build, deep through the girth, legs with good bone. Holds his head with a slightly curved neck, which can be trained out.
Disciplines(s): Flat racing
Stable: Red&Sky (*zeunicorn1o)
Temperament: Friendly and outgoing, he's not bothered in the slightest by...well, anything really, apart from cramped spaces. So long as he's out of the gates quickly he'll be fine. He's sweet and attentive and has a willing nature. Has a tendency to stare at you with a half curious, half scolding nature.
Awards: --
Available for stud/lease:No, too young, and is racing.
Progeny: --
Image(s):

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New TB boy! I felt I needed to get some more horses in this stable o'mine, so revel in his greyness. Sorry about the novel up there, I just love this boy so much. *is a grey nut*

Give him loveee And wish him luck in his career (although by what I've planned he won't need it )

--yes, that is a loving stare, not a hateful one. He loves you!



Art and character (C) *zeunicorn1o
HARPG: