Mysterious Magic. The filly had arrived from the sales in July from Stride of Perfection Stables, a daughter of their stallion Mercurial Magic who seemed to be gaining quite the reputation. The chestnut filly was… Well, a chestnut filly. She could be fiery at times, and she loved to test the people that worked with her, but that all added to her charm. Chris couldn’t put his finger on it, but right from the first time that he had viewed her before the sale he’d liked her and of course he had been selective on who would ride her. He was with all of his horses. But, in the end, it had been an easy answer – Mimi didn’t need an arrogant jockey, she needed someone strong enough to control her but gentle enough not to try and overpower her. Lila was the answer to the question.

Chris loved to watch her. She was well put together, with a stunning movement and was just that bit more mature than most juveniles at this stage. It was something that he hoped could give her an edge, but the answer to that remained unanswered and would until her debut.
“Hey, Chris, what’s got into you? New girlfriend?” He hadn’t even known he was smiling, but Lila’s playful tone pulled him from his thoughts.
“Not exactly. Just admiring her.”
“Mimi. You always had a thing for her.”
“Always will. Now get out there and prove to me I’m not imagining that she is ready.” A false salute, and Lila made her way out onto the track.

Things had improved from the first time Lila had worked with Mimi. Now, she was able to walk up, quickly say hello, and he helped into the saddle where the first time she’d landed in the saddle Mimi had tried to throw her. An attempt which Lila had sat, allowing the youngster her tantrum before attempting anything else. Perhaps that was what had sealed the deal, but poor Lila had been stuck doing every little session since then because the filly just didn’t want another jockey on board.

It took a couple of tries to get the filly into the gates, but once loaded she was calm. Lila stared between those red ears, waiting, and when the shutters clattered open, they were off. Mimi found her footing on the dirt quickly, the filly quickening at the start and finding a nice pace before settling. Lila patted her neck slightly, encouraging her, and waited out the furlong before pushing.

The filly was responsive to the jockey. A slight nudge and she put that little more in, building her pace nicely. Throughout the second furlong she built speed gradually, her ears pressed forwards. Lila grinned to herself, shortening the rein once more and then she started pushing in earnest – driving not just with a nudge here and there but with her whole body. She wouldn’t have reached for the whip even if she’d had it – Mimi needed little encouragement as they powered forwards. The filly quickened, her strides eating the dirt as if it was the race of a lifetime. Lila willed the filly on, and soon they thundered past the post. Chris was on his feet, watching in awe. If this was without competition, could this filly really be as magical as he hoped?