Black Monday by Caitlyn Downs

This is a story all about horse racing. That is flat racing. Hope you all enjoy it! It is a fictional story so there won't be any big names in it!

Aintree racecourse loomed in front of Max. He was leading the favourite horse for the race. Max was only a stable hand at the stables where the horse was kept. Secret Dawn, their horse, pranced along by the side of Max ready to start the long gallop.

"Max!" Dan, the jockey and owner of Secret Dawn, called out. "Hi Dan. You looking forward to the race?" Max asked him. Dan nodded slightly. Max put his lack of enthusiasm down to having just walked the course. Max handed Secret Dawn's reins to Dan while he got her saddle ready. When he came back out he stood on the wooden crate to allow him to lift the light saddle onto the huge horse's back. 

"All set." Max announced, tightening up the girth. He gave Dan a leg up onto the mare's broad back. He kept hold of her while Dan collected himself.

"Kyle! Hold her still!" a deep voice came from the other trailer next to them.

Suddenly, a black mare bolted round. She head-butted Dan off Secret Dawn. Dan fell hard and got stepped on by Secret Dawn. He was out cold. What would happen to Secret Dawn now?

White Monday

Max watched helplessly as they carted poor Dan off to the first aid tent. He knew that someone would have to race Secret Dawn. Max glanced at the grey Arab mare and smiled. He went and got his yellow jockey silks and helmet and mounted up. He rode to the stalls and patted her gently, as she was loaded in.

"This is it girl." Max whispered.

He heard the starter. He nudged Secret and she set off. Max kept her on the inside, behind the others. He could feel Secret pulling her head free. A few at the front were starting to tire about half way round. Max waited until a space came in front of him. He loosened Secret's reins and she powered forward like a sport car. He rose up a little more in his stirrups. Secret galloped around the last corner and through the finish line with ease.

"And, you're winners are Max Pit and Secret Dawn." The announcer boomed.

Max listened to the crowd around him. Those cheers were for him and his horse. He couldn't believe it. He dismounted and led her around the winner's enclosure. He heard a familiar voice from the barrier. It was Dan. He was sat there in a wheelchair cheering over everybody else's screams. Max grinned as he watched the TV cameras left the course for the rest of the day's sports.

THE END

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