Post by Melissa on Nov 17, 2007 1:17:34 GMT -5
Photo © Marcie Heacox, used with permission Horse: Icy Atlantic
Status: Retired
Registered Name: Fireworks
Barn Name: Sparks
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Dark Bay
Markings: Blaze & Two Hind Socks
Age: Five
Gender: Stallion
Height: 17 Hands
Barn Color: Maroon
Disciplines: Flat Racer [Dirt/Turf]
Stable Song: Invisible by Ashlee Simpson
Buybacks to: Fable Creek Manor
Sire: Touchstone
[Xenophon x Freedom Star]
Dam: Faith In Shadows
[Determination x Glorious Freedom]
Comments:
A son of the only two-time DTC champion Touchstone, and the first winner of The Wire Finish Cup Mile winner Faith In Shadows Sparks is a true novalty, and with Stormwing on both top and bottom he has plenty of spunk and fire. Sparks was the result of a embryo transfer into Electra, it seemed fitting that our resident Apache's Magic daughter and Java full sister should be the surrogate for Sparks, since Faith was still racing. The bay colt stayed with Electra until June when he weaned, although he was technically a yearling already. Sparks didn't take kindly to being apart from Electra, even though she loved the quiet and Sparks only seemed to quiet down when Gabrielle was around. Sure he respected Mel and would listen to her, but he was prone to swish his tail in the way that says he'll listen but only cause he has to not because he necessarily wants to.
He has grown up more now that he's living with our other racing colts and being worked every day. Sparks is a real delight to have around, we always like our Xenophon lined racers, but Sparks is somewhat different from the others. He never really has any bad moments, and a minimal colt phase. He does like to buck occasionally in play and his teeth haven't touched human flesh although breaking him was a experience to say the very least. Toby's sweet and gentle nature, as well as Faith's softer side may have won over the hotness of Xenophon, but it is still deep down inside this boy, and it does shine through from time to time. He sometimes gets this 'wild-eyed look' and that lets you know Sparks is about to take down whatever set him off. There is just no stopping him when you see that look either, you can bail off or just go along with it and hope for the best.
For all his quiet ways around the stable yard Sparks is completely different on the track, it's almost like he has a personality flip, he gets competitive and fiercely determined to win, and believe me when he gets in the zone there is no stopping him. He has a powerful motion at the gallop, and a smooth, gliding pace when in full stride but it's making him listen that is the hard part. Once he gets it in his head to go he will keep going until he drops. He hates being boxed in and will bully his way out if it means gaining a inch to win. Sparks was bred to be versatile on both dirt and turf tracks, but during his training Sparks has developed a love of the turf, around 8-10 furlongs is when he does his best. He is fearless and undaunted by the challenge a rival will present him, whether it be on dirt or turf, he's so competitive he can handle both surfaces with no problem. Sparks, for the most part is very solid on his hooves and with Gabs in his saddle, the majority of the time he is on the top of his game, but he is still young and Mel and Gabrielle don't want to take too much out of him before Sparks is completely ready to handle the more competitive fields.
