Torres Legend was the main reason I played Raceclubs ~ Black Death http://forums.raceclubs.com/Posts.aspx?fid=38&tid=286241&iv=y

The Auction Crunch - Special Edition

In every person there is a part of them that holds on to things. Some people are hoarders and refuse to throw anything away, others tend to hold onto the past and some even hold onto their virtual nags here at RaceClubs.com. Whether it's the name you like or what the horse has done for you in the past, there is that inner reluctance to send them to pastures new. I found it especially difficult to part with my stable stars, Pathway To Exile and Zenzational. After the initial disappointment, a realisation that the world keeps spinning softens the blow and no matter how heavy your heart is at the time, we part with them for a reason.

We live in difficult times at the moment and it would be fair to say that most decisions to sell are based around the financial aspect and not because you want to, it's a necessity. People will always question why such decisions are made but to coin a phrase, at the end of the day it's for the best! Best for you but not necessarily best for your stable.

When the great Torres Legend was put to auction by his trainer, Black Death, many trainers at RaceClubs.com must have been thinking, "I wish I had the money to get him in my stable!" I know that I was and during the run up to the auction had thought about how I could raise the cash to buy him. Unfortunately for my stable, I couldn't and therefore watched helplessly as the bid eventually got placed by Frank of the Sky Castle Stable, who secured his second "monster" purchase of the season, adding to the already captured, Davy Hill. As much as Dave (Black Death) would have welcomed the bid, I'm sure it was a bitter pill to swallow. It just goes to show what sort of person Dave is and the mark of the man, when asked to comment about the sale he added,

"Torres Legend was the main reason I played this game. From the moment my good friend Beegee introduced me to RaceClubs.com, I was looking to have a top horse. It took me about a year to really grasp things, though I knew I wanted a "La Gazza Ladra". Well, the day I pulled Torres Legend (About two years into my virtual career) from the sales ring, was the day it all came together. I knew the blueprint was right, it was now down to the adds. As soon as I trialled him with adds, I knew he was the special one I'd yearned. Blinkers were initially debatable though, they took some time working out his preference for them. It was quite late in the season and I knew if I played it right, the Sprinters Challenge was almost at his mercy. Well he won that and placed in a Classic Challenge Consolation race as well. He went on to have a fabulous three year old career and I really thought he would be my legacy in the RaceClubs.com Hall Of Fame. Unfortunately, life's not quite that simple, work has dried up on me and yesterday, a grateful bid was received from Frank (Skycastle Stables) on my star, although extremely welcome financially, I'd have to say, it is the saddest day of my RaceClubs.com career. He is a true champ and the game will never be quite the same for me again."

The sale of a horse, no matter how good, if you are fond of it can be viewed as similar to your favourite football player being transferred from your team. It's difficult to put into words, how you feel but there is always light at the end of every tunnel. With that in mind, this auction review will be dedicated to the great Torres Legend. Even with plenty of running still left in his powerful legs, it is fitting that Dave, passing the torch on his greatest acquisition, gets the farewell him and his horse deserve. It's not common that a horse would be held with such high regard, prior to retirement, and tributes are not generally considered, although on this occasion the goalposts have been moved, just slightly!

Tuesday, November 3rd 2009 was a day of celebration, as it was a very special birthday, one that will go down in history. No I'm not talking about Barrack Obama's 1st Birthday sat in the hot seat of the world, I'm talking about a little click on the mouse that brought about the birth of one of the greatest virtual horses to strut his stuff at RaceClubs.com. A dedicated trainer within the virtual world had struck gold when a little horse by the name of Torres Legend was spawned from the ring. The anticipation and excitement that swelled within Dave's body at the thought of unleashing his star attraction to the virtual ranks must have been agonising as each time trial put him that little step closer to realising his dream, to own and race a horse who could be spoke of in the same sentence as the great "La Gazza Ladra" and more than hold his own, in comparison. What this feeling must be like is a virtual owners dream, few and far between will or have ever experienced. Though on this day Black Death knew exactly what it felt like.

What do you do with a horse of this calibre? Some may ask. The answer is pretty simple really. Get him to the track, like, yesterday! So that's exactly what Dave done, albeit He had to wait until a day after his birth. A short trip to England's frozen track, who earlier, had passed an inspection making the track raceable, much to the delight of connections. Not the sort of race you would expect a future champion to contend, nevertheless, a 1600M maiden on a cold winter's day was enough to make the hairs stand up on your neck. Not because of the chilly wind in the air but the thought of seeing something special. A late entry into the race and lacking a jockey, connections were forced to make a quick decision. Should they withdraw the entry or take a gamble on the inexperience of Geraldine Sullivan in the saddle. Never in her lifetime has Geraldine had something so powerful between her legs. Something that would ooze such class and with the vigour of a powerful finish, it was wondered whether Ms Sullivan could control herself and not get too excited as the beast entered his climax. They needn't have worried as Geraldine held herself together and the only cry you could her from her was of elation, she screamed, "Yes, Yes, Yes, Ohhhhhhhh Yessssssssss!" as his nose sniffed the line. You would have thought she was reciting from a Jilly Cooper novel at the time.

It was never going to be the greatest pot the horse would ever take and prompted an enquiry as to why the horse had ventured to pastures He was more than capable of taming. The mandatory urine sample after the race had been passed clean and Torres Legend had introduced himself to the virtual world. Ok, it was not as impressive at the line as one would have thought and the winning distance didn't suggest great things at all but this race was the foundation for bigger and better things. Sadly, it did nothing for Geraldine Sullivan's career and to this day she remains at the bottom of every trainer's wish list. Not even her good looks can make up for her undeniable and often foolish horsemanship in the saddle. Despite her flaws she did rise to the occasion to record this win, which meant Torres Legend was all ready to tackle the best of the best in the juvenile ranks as his connections' eyes were firmly focussed on Challenge success.

Two days later, the jet setting black, with passport in bridle set off for his juvenile Challenge Series adventure. The versatility of the horse would be tested in his next two races, when tackling a 1200m sprint, followed by a further test of stamina over an extended 1800m in search of qualifying points for both the Sprint and Classic Challenge Finals. With the greater experience an canny horsemanship of Champion jockey, Charlie Saxon taking the mount for the sprint race, Torres scooted to a 3/4 length victory against stiff opposition. With connections favouring a freelance approach to jockeys in the saddle, Charlie Saxon will be rueing his uninformed decision to pass on Black Death's offer of a stable mount for the horse and wasn't re-appointed in the saddle on the beast for some forty-eight races later, well into his three year old campaign. Nazir Al-Khalifa nudge him along in his first outing in the Classic series. The victory on that day proving to be a bitter-sweet affair, the points accrued were not enough for him to grace the final, settling for the consolation instead. Over the final's festival of racing his main aim would be the Sprinters Challenge Final. Many were surprised to see the booking of Ronan O'Conor for this race but faith in the Irishman was replied with a superb effort in the saddle, carrying added weight than most of the contenders, to take the championship. The victory saw delight on the jockeys face and his masters were on cloud nine. Despite incurring a 2lb penalty for the Classic Consolation race, Taz Rowley worked his socks off in the closing stages to record another victory but alas came up against one too good in the form of Explosive Missile.

During a three year old career culminating in the colt etching his name into virtual racing history, Torres Legend ruled the virtual world. Thirty-three qualifying races saw a remarkable return of twenty-three victories, ranging from 1000m to 2400m. Amazingly, the horse failed to make the placing in the series on only three occasions, one of which was over a very unsuitable 2850m, finishing well down the field against some classy stayers. Torres Legend had set himself up for the incredible, Nunthorpe Sprint and Derby double, the holy grail of racing doubles. No other horse has come close to completing the task. Even the great, La Gazza Ladra failed in his quest. A third place in the Nunthorpe had everyone connected with the horse on tenterhooks, thinking there maybe something amiss with the horse as jockey, Ronan O'Conor staying faithful in the sprint finals, after the race reported, "the horse hadn't picked up quite as much as usual approaching the straight." Fearing the worst he was immediately taken to the swim pool for a good looking over. 

The Derby, in many of the professional's eyes came too soon, being the day after. Alas, that's the price you pay on Challenge Final weekend seeking triumph. The first part of the double had slipped through his hooves but this was The Derby. Like an athlete he emerged from the stables, coat glowing, as if he knew today was the day. His chance to become immortal. To live on, even beyond retirement as the great horse he had promised his owner he would be. The script had already been written months in advance but the Nunthorpe third place he managed was definitely not the outcome in that fable. Only a win would do in The Derby. It was as if the horse had known The Nunthorpe failure would be overlooked if he grasped the virtual world's attention in the climax of the three year old season. Some believe the poor showing in that final was the horses decision, keeping a little in reserve for the big one. Eric Sun applied the finishing touches to a legacy that will be remembered for the test of time. Torres Legend, clinical at two, masterful at three, WON The Derby!

I'm sure the sale of the original El Nino to Frank, will feel like losing a limb for the Black Death stable, but at the same time the legend lives on and more importantly races on. The Sky Castle Stable have the future Hall of Famer sporting the black and gold now, which I, like many others in the racing fraternity will admire for the remainder of his illustrious career. Good luck to Torres and his new yard, Dave will always remember, always follow and respect what a servant you have been to his stable. Was he worth £1400..??....I don't think I need to answer that question!

Member Submission: Moletown 

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