Nightstorm and the Grand Slam by Stacy Gregg Page A

couldn’t have wished for a better jockey for Victory – which is what makes this so difficult…”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” Issie said.
    â€œI’ve just spent the past hour in negotiations with a very influential horse syndicate,” Tulia said. “They approached me today and offered me an absolutely exorbitant amount of money. In the end I couldn’t say no.”
    â€œMoney? For what?”
    â€œFor Victory,” Tulia Disbrowe said. “I’ve sold the horse.”
    Ever since last night, Issie had been fighting this feelingof dread, like a sixth sense that something was wrong. Now she realised her intuition had been right all along.
    â€œSo, what does that mean for me?” Issie asked. “Do I still have the ride?”
    Tulia put down her champagne glass. “The syndicate want to put their own jockey on him. They’re taking over his training – effective immediately.”
    Issie had won the Badminton Horse Trials, but in a cruel twist of fate she was now being separated from the horse that had made it all possible. She had lost Victory.

Chapter 6
    There was a stunned silence in the horse truck and then Avery exploded in anger. “Are you telling me that this syndicate want to get rid of the rider who just won the Badminton Horse Trials? Are they mad?”
    Tulia looked taken aback. “Tom, I can understand how upset you are. I was surprised by this decision too. But the syndicate has bought the horse and they have the right to choose their own rider.”
    â€œSo that’s it, is it?” Avery fumed. “They offered you the money and you took it, regardless of the consequences? Without a second thought for Issie…”
    Tulia’s demeanour suddenly turned icy. “Tom, you know as well as I do that in business it’s always aboutmoney. Look at Edward Gal. He had broken every world record riding Totilas, but they still sold the horse out from under him. These things happen at the top of the game. I’m sorry, but that’s the way it is!”
    Avery glared at Tulia. “And you didn’t even think to discuss it with us before you took the cheque?”
    â€œI didn’t have to,” Tulia replied bluntly. “The horse belongs to me and I have every right to make the decision to sell. Tom, no one is taking anything away from Isadora’s achievements, but at the end of the day I had to think about the future and what is best for Victory.”
    â€œYou must be joking!” Avery’s fury reached new heights. “How dare you act as if…”
    â€œTom!” Issie shook her head. “Can’t you see it’s no use? It won’t change anything.”
    Issie stepped up to Tulia Disbrowe. “How long before they come for him?”
    â€œIt’s all been organised. The head of the syndicate is collecting him within the hour,” Tulia said.
    Issie didn’t say anything more – she walked straight past Tulia and headed for the door.
    â€œIssie?” Tulia said. “Where are you going?”
    Issie looked back at her, her eyes filled with tears,“Where do you think, Tulia? I’m going to see Victory. I’m saying goodbye!”

    As she walked to the stables, Issie was overwhelmed by anger and disbelief. It was so brutally unfair! She had spent the past year working on her relationship with Victory so that the horse trusted her completely and would do anything for her. She had raised him to the very top and this was the thanks she got! The syndicate hadn’t even had the decency to give her one day of happiness to enjoy her win before they stole the horse away from her.
    The stables were busy with riders packing down and mucking out the loose boxes ready to leave for home. Issie tried to keep it together and return their friendly greetings and cries of congratulation, but although she managed to force a smile she was fighting to hold back the