Stall Ten: GS Royal Crown

[Ripley]

Stallion: GS Royal Crown
Age: 5
Pedigree: Seabiscuit x Shooting Star
Owner: Witch Creek Stable
Breeder: Intrepid Racing

Post to interact with GS Royal Crown and his connections.

[Deleted]

Another stall, another option. Cute Italian meant a lot to the stable and it's future, matching her was all important. Sure, Lethal Knack had made his impression (how could he not?) and she had decided that while she would breed to Jazzaway he was not really for Callie and she would need to find a better match, nothing had yet been ruled out. She did not have far to walk to the next horse that had grabbed her attention - he was, in fact, in the very next stall.

Alexia had a fondness for greys that she couldn't explain, and that gave her a fondness for the stallion already, and his record certainly wasn't to turn your nose up at. He'd never quite been the best of the best but sometimes the best racers proved to be less than impressive as sires. She looked the stallion over quietly then nodded to herself, glancing around for someone to speak to.

"Hey, I was hoping for some more information on this guy." her voice was gentle as she spoke, she was still getting used to being the one running the stable and the adjustment was not an easy one.

[Ripley]

Al stepped out of the stall, nodded at Lorena who was playing with Popcorn Blitz. The powerful chestnut sprinter was one of the most goofy horses in the barn. He was a spitfire in his exercise routine, but a playful monster on the daily. Lorena adored the big horse, loved his nature and was more than excited to see two Popcorn Blitz babies with Witch Creek. It meant that they were going to get the best fighting chance out on the track. Lord knows, Blitzen hadn't been given his best due, but his offspring would, especially with killer matches.

Al patted GS Royal Crown's nose, admiring the handsome dappled stallion. Crow had been retired as soon as he'd hit grade one in Year Fourteen. He wasn't exactly a pleasing horse to work with on the ground, more than willing to express his claim for leadership. But in the saddle he was a dream to ride. He obeyed every command, never put a step wrong and just seemed to know when to get into the bridle. Maggiletti Reynolds, his co-owner, had put a ton of work into the handsome horse and it had shown in through in his versatile career.

Al brushed a hand over his balding head, turned his brown eyes out to the ring encircling the stalls and grinned at the sight of the lone woman. Al nodded to Lorena who snagged a lead rope off the hook. "Hey there, miss." He stepped up to the edge of ring. "Names Al, stud manager here at Witch Creek. I expect everyone wants to meet our resident genius, Ripley Marsh, but she's out scouting. Guess you'll have to deal with me."

"Your name?" Al turned a keen eye on Lorena as she led Crow from his stall. The horse made them look good with his incredible body type and his gorgeous head. He really was one of the best in the barn. "His name is GS Royal Crown, comes from old lines to die for with Seabiscuit and Shooting Star. He's a relation of sorts to the only Turf Triple Crown winner Bella Luna. Already has two mares for Year Fifteen. Our own grade one Whipped Cream and Grayson Meadows' Union Jaque. He's definitely exciting to me. And I can honestly tell you, you'll get a brilliant baby out of him. Not many horses can win major stakes on dirt and turf."

[Deleted]

Maybe some people were looking for Ripley, but Alexia wasn't that woman. She was more than happy to talk to the staff, and who better than the stud manager really? It meant he worked closely with the horse and would be knowledgeable about the things she wanted to know. She watched as the well-conformed stallion was led out, looked to the stud manager again. "I'm Alexia Harshing. I used to be a jockey around here and just opened up a new stable - Riverview Acres." she told him confidently. She was more than happy to chat, found it often opened up more information if you were friendly.

"They are definitely some impressive credentials, and it's always nice when a stud gets interest in his freshman year. The mare I am looking to pair up is impressive in her own right though - half sister to The True Nut, grade one and a Preakness Stakes winner at that." she paused. "I could probably put her to several of the more popular, proven studs but I wanted something new and different - I have to say Crow here has my attention."

[Ripley]

Al considered Alexia Harshing with his dark eyes. He thought this woman was looking for something different in a stud for Cute Italian, who came with some impressive credentials herself. He knew all about The True Nut, had offered the mare to Ripley for breeding interests several times. Ripley hadn't bitten, tossing the reserve right out the window. She had appreciated the buckskin mare as a runner, but she hadn't been interested in breeding anything to her. There were others she had her eye on, others that would advance the Witch Creek lines into the racing world.

Cute Italian was a well known producer. Dam to one of two Canadian Triple Crown winners and a grade four three year old, Cute Italian was becoming an intriguing asset. It had been a miracle to see the fine horse step into the auction ring, especially with the pizzazz she carried as a mama. Riverview Acres had apparently won the bid and now here they were to see his Crow. Ripley's Crow. Maggie's Crow. His dark eyes flicked to the elegant gray, considering.

"I'd say your looking far into the future with a very open mind. Cute Italian has done well with out of the box lines and I can see her doing well with this match up. Crow will pass a need to please on to the resulting foal and his old lines are simply rare. He'd give your returning barn something to look forward to down the line."

Al paused thoughtfully. "If you really are that interested, why don't you put your name and number on this pad and Ripley will get back to you shortly." Al searched briefly for a pad and pen, presented it to Alexia. "Crow was closed for the season, but I'm not sure that Ripley wouldn't consider opening his book for Cute Italian."

[Deleted]

"I find that to approach things with anything but an open mind can be a terrible mistake in this field. Sometimes, it is the more obscure names which throw the most interesting foals and the bloodlines on Crow here are impeccable without being too common." she paused, regarding the bloodstock agent for a moment and then smiled. "Not that the more popular lines are anything bad, but some names have a tendency of popping up a lot. I already matched our Paradise Island to Intrepid Racing's Anarchi for a foal this year when others might have gone for other choices as I find it interesting he has been bred so little."

She really was the type who put thought into these things. Taking the pad she wrote down her name and contact number, hoping that Ripley would not have forgotten her from the few times they had met. "In all honesty, I probably won't be breeding Cute Italian until next year anyway, I just want to make sure I have a good stud lined up for her."