Page 14 - The Game January 2006

14 The Game, January 2006 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
Majeek by Paddy Head
Book Review
By Claire Robson, Author of “Love in Good Time”
Some books entertain. Some books educate. A few also have the capacity to change our lives, and Paddy Head’s break-through novel Majeek is one of them. When jockey Sally O’Sullivan takes a bone-cracking spill on the backstretch, it looks like her reign as the feisty Queen of Woodbine Racetrack is over. But actually, the tale has only just begun. Miraculous events enter her life - with- out knocking. Hardheaded Sally may be reluctant to saddle up for a trip to other dimensions, but the mysterious Dark Lady of her dreams has big plans for her. Like it or not, Sally and her past-life soul mates let slip the reins of rationality and gallop headlong into the unknown. “Solvit persona‚” says Sally’s mentor, at one point, ‘the persona dissolves’. This story will challenge and change your perception of reality, as much as it transforms its protagonist’s.
Author Paddy Head wisely grounds this extraordinary tale in a very solid context. Much of the story is set in Bridge of Allan whose bluff Scots locals and solid country pubs provide the perfect backdrop for an astounding series of events. In the same vein, much of this debut novel’s charm is generated by the down- to-earth way her characters respond to their adventures. Sally’s companions on this hero’s journey may be open to other dimen- sions, but they’re also very much at home in this one. Despite its New Age perspectives, this book is both funny and engaging. One of Head’s many talents as a writer is realistic, well-paced dialogue, and a healthy dose of humour, even in the most soulful moments. As Sally tries to read the mind of her handsome lover Patrick, for instance, she is quick to point out that “even in the spirit world, there’s a privacy clause!” Despite its rollicking pace, the book is highly informative. Sally’s soul sister Samantha, an anti aging doctor, provides some fascinating insights into the healing power of spirit, without ever being preachy. North America’s most famous visionary medical expert, Christiane Northrup, calls Majeek “an uplifting story about the power of horses, spirit and love.”
And the latter topic is, well, shall we say, thoroughly covered. The sex scenes, and there are many, are simply crackling. Much, though not all of the sexual energy that impels Majeek is provid- ed by the seductive Amazonian figure of Samantha’s lover, Jacquelyn Gerard, who reclaims female sexuality in grand Mae West style. Though the relationship between these two women is tender and compelling, Head portrays sexuality as a power that should not, and may not be confined or pigeonholed, but rather transcends limitation. The relationships between Sally and Patrick and some of the sex scenes from other, more liberated, dimensions, will just blow your mind, and the ending, well, you’ll need to read it for yourself (but perhaps not in public).
As a pioneering woman jockey in North America, author Paddy Head hung on for the wildest of rides. Here’s your chance to do the same. As the book cover says, “You’re in the starting gate, there’s only one way out, forward, quickly, on a soul- opening journey.”
Majeek is the story of a female jockey who collides head first with another dimension, in which she is transformed by the healing energy of spirit.
Harry Potter for grownups!
Artist ‘Works’ for Charity
By Harlan Abbey
Cathy Carter, a Fort Erie Racetrack clerk, is also an accomplished soft pastel drawing artist.
Specializing in commissioned portraits of horses, dogs and cats (which sell for $200-$500), she has some works that have totaled over $50,000 in sales -- but she hasn't seen a penny of that income!
"I've contributed a lot of works to Ducks Unlimited, which uses them to raise funds," she explained. "These are mainly drawings of animals. I also have donated several paintings to the new hospital in Grimsby, which raffles them off. They made $10,000 and $7,500 for my two highest-selling works. These are usually country scenes, including a country doctor with a horse and buggy."
Carter doesn't have to search far for models to use in many of her commissioned original drawings. She and her husband Allen Desruisseaux have a farm in Smithville that is home to Thoroughbreds of all ages, and also Belle the Border Collie, the Jack Russell terriers Molly and Murphy, Marvin the house cat, several barn cats, and litters of pink pigs.
"I showed hunters and jumpers growing up, and back when I was in grammar school there were drawings of horses in all my school books," she recalls. "I sold some pictures to relatives and to people at the horse shows, but I never took art lessons because I knew all I wanted to draw was horses. (Now she gives pastel drawing lessons.)
"I work from photos but I try to see a horse in person, to get an idea of its personality. It's too hard to make sketches when they're in movement, so I take photos. Painting is a 'feast or famine' thing, busiest around Christmastime. I haven't painted any famous race horses. Most of my horse portraits are pets or riding/show horses, plus a lot of dogs and an occasional cat."
Carter also has done several commercial works, including a label for Orange Appeal, an animal shampoo, and of course has made several drawings of her own animals. But she adds "I can draw whatever someone wants a picture of."
Before becoming a race office employee, Carter worked as a groom but admitted "I've never handled any famous race horses, just the ones my husband and I own." They have four at Fort Erie, trained by Dan Taylor. Regal Rebel, a five-year-old, has two seconds so far. Aced Ability and Benn Beri Cold are three-year-olds and Two Pints of Bitters is a two-year- old. At the farm are two broodmares, a yearling, and three retired runners.
The race office at Fort Erie, she said, follows a regular routine. A condition book issued every three weeks lists 13 to 15 possible races for each day's program. The races that draw the most entries are the ones that are scheduled. Deadline for entries is at 11:15 a.m. four or five days in advance. At that time there's a draw for post positions and the assignment of jockeys. Some jockeys regularly ride two or more horses that may be entered in the same race. The jockey agents tell entry office personnel which horse is "first call" and which is second.
"A race must have six horses entered to be scheduled," Carter explained, "and if we have only five, we'll announce we need one more over the backstretch loudspeaker. Hopefully, we'll get one more entry."
Carter and her husband are the parents of Emily, 22, studying to be a teacher's assistant, and Dale, 19, who recently opened a pizzeria. Carter admits "I've sometimes arranged pepperoni in what I think are artistic modes."
Artist Cathy Carter
Cathy Carter’s painting for the Orange Appeal Animal Shampoo label include her own ex-race- horse (now broodmare) Miss Frenchie and her boarder collie, Belle.
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Did You Know......
That according to an article in the Daily Racing Form, Individual racing silks were introduced in October, 1762, at Newmarket, England, when the then unique idea was conceived at a meeting of The Jockey Club. In the quaint phraseology of the time, it was decided that “for greater convenience of distinguishing the horses in running, and also for the prevention of disputes arising from not knowing the colours of each rider the under-mentioned gentlemen have come to the resolution and agreement of having the
colours annexed to the following names worn by their respective riders: The Stewards therefore hope, in the name of The Jockey Club, that the named gentlemen will take care that the riders be provided with dresses accordingly.”
Nineteen owners were listed: seven Dukes, one Marquis, four Earls, one Viscount, one Lord, two Baronets and three commoners.
The Duke of Cumberland chose “purple”; the Duke of Grafton, “sky blue”; the Duke of Devonshire, “straw”; the Duke of Kingston, “crimson”; the Duke of Ancaster, “buff”;
the Duke of Bridgewater, “garter blue’; and the Marquis of Rockingham, “green”. etc.
Originally, a black velvet huntsman’s cap was the only type used by the riders and was more or less associated with the colors listed above, but this gave way to caps varied in color as we know them today.
The “straw” registered by the Duke of Devonshire is till used by the family and must be considered the oldest racing colours in existence. In 1787 the Lord of Derby of that period changed his colours from green and white stripes to the famous “black with white cap” which we know today, and in 1799 the Grosvenor family colours were altered to “yellow, black cap” and have been used by the Dukes of Westminster ever since.
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