Horse Credit: Patch

Basics
Name: One-Eyed King
YOB: Y19
Gender: Colt
Color: Bay
Height: 17.2hh
Pedigree: Foundation x Foundation

Personality:
One-Eyed King is certainly not what most expect to see when they consider a racehorse. This is because, as his name suggests, he only has one eye. His left eye is completely missing - not because of a horrible accident, but because the vet was required to remove it for health reasons.

Originally training to be a racehorse before this occurred, Dobbin's original owners gave up on that dream for him. They put him up for sale, which was when William Smith, on of the stable's trainers, discovered him. After the success of Graham, his original project pony, he wanted something a bit more challenging to work with, and so he convinced Arthur and Peter to let him pick him up. They weren't originally convinced by his proposal, but William offered to buy him with his own money. Under the condition that he had to pay for his board as well until he proved himself on the track, King of the Hill Stables gained another colt for their roster.

Dobbin is a sweet boy. He adores any kind of attention he can get, be it treat, cuddles, or just being talked to. The possibility of affection makes him surprisingly easy to work with as it makes him very eager to please. There was some struggle towards the starts of his training in regards to loud noises, but this was worked on until it no longer bothered him - well, barring one exception. Thunder, and the accompanying lightning, still terrifies him in a habit that it seems will stick around for good.

With his missing eye, it is only natural that One-Eyed King prefers to spend the majority of a race somewhere where he can see his fellow competitors. After springing from the starting gate (something that he is surprisingly comfortable with given his lack of vision on one side), he settles into a closer type of position. He will, however, always run towards the left hand side of the track. This ensures that no horse is sneaking up on his blind left side, as well as allowing him the comfort of knowing that other horses are not behind him.

Of course, horses cannot always be kept from these positions, which is why he and his jockey have worked hard together to learn some signals to warn him of any possible incoming 'threats'. His jockey uses his feet to do this, and Dobbin has learnt to trust his warnings without question. Through their partnership, they manage to navigate the track almost as if this colt was any other horse with perfect vision!

Like a typical closer, Dobbin is urged on in the last furlong, speeding up the track - often to the far left side in order to try and avoid weaving in an out of other horses. His jockey guides him as he speeds past those on the track, encouraging him all the way to the finish line.

Racing Statistics

Running Style: Closer/On Your Left
Distance: 9-12 furlongs

Surface: Dirt

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Horse Credit: Dettori

Basics
Name: Gin O'Clock
YOB: Y19
Gender: Filly
Color: Chestnut
Height: 15.0hh
Pedigree: Foundation x Foundation

Personality:
With the recent success of sprinter lines at King of the Hill Stables, the decision was made to expand in the area where possible, allowing the stable to specialise in this area to the extent of its ability. Part of this expansion including bringing in new blood, which is where Gin O'Clock came in. She was important from trusted lines in Australia to fill a gap that had been spotted in the roster.

With bold face markings and one blue eye, she's a flashy filly that everybody was quick to fall in love with. That, combined with her confident, sure-footed nature, has caused some to joke that she's the catwalk model of the stable - and it is certainly true that Ginny walks not only as if she owns the place, but also as if she is convinced that she is the most beautiful thing in the entire area.

She loves to roll in her stable and in the paddock, especially after recently being groomed. Her other great love is snow, and it absolutely thrills her to combine these two loves together and roll about in a patch of the freshly fallen flurry. As for what she hates, there is only one thing; children. This is unfortunate, considering that George, the son of the stable's co-owner, loves to get involved with the horses. He has to stay away, though - at least until she mellows out somewhere.

On the track, Gin O'Clock preferably runs as a stalker. After some fuss, she loads into the starting gate, then she springs out of it the second it opens and dashes to the front of the pack. Here, she then allows any front runners to rush ahead - forcing them to run faster than her comfortable pace if they want to take the lead, putting pressure on them from behind to tire themselves out keeping this up. If there are no dedicated front runners in the field, she will take that position herself, though she won't rise to the challenge of any other horses and over exert herself in doing this. It is toward the end of the race that she finally pushes herself to the extreme, kicking it up a gear and bolting forward, driven on by her determination to win.

Racing Statistics

Running Style: Stalker/Front Runner
Distance: 5-8 furlongs

Surface: Dual

Approved!