name: Basilius (Latin for: Kinglike)

nicknames: Basil

breed: Thoroughbred Stallion, with some Hanoverian ancestry

height: 16.4 hands

color: dark bay

distinctive markings: white star and snip, white pastern above back-left hoof

temperament: hot-blooded, free-spirited, big gaits and jumps big

vices: nips, escapes paddock from jumping over the fence, nibbles at Priscilla’s pockets looking for treats

backstory: When Baron Staunton and Baroness Priscilla were visiting one of England’s finest horse breeding farms to select a new stallion to add to their collection of racehorses. Once Edmund found one to his liking, that was when Priscilla noticed the handsome stallion galloping in another open paddock, leaping over imaginary obstacles. She was mesmerized by its gate and speed, and when examining the magnificent creature she noticed amidst such a fiery temperament, it had a certain softness in its regal gaze.

After a brief objection from her husband stating they were only looking for one horse and not wanting her to select one for herself that would be too unpredictable for her leisure. Priscilla heard none of it and said it was instead for her next steeplechase rematch with him. Eager for that rematch, Edmund agreed. 

But that was not her only reason. With a fruitless marriage and a husband’s wandering eye, Priscilla dedicated every minute of her free time to care for Basilius, who she eventually finds to be a faithful companion. He wasn’t easy to train and after long tiresome months, Basilius was finally ready to face Edmund’s Thoroughbred gelding Icarus. And Priscilla and Basilius won. And when they rematched again, they won yet again.

It wasn’t long before Priscilla realized she had a champion in Basilius once she started competing against neighbor’s horses. And she entered Basilius into other steeplechase competitions. But after seeing one of the Jockey’s harsh treatment of Basilius for placing nearly last for refusing a jump, Priscilla fired the rider and forbid anyone else from competing on the stallion outside of herself. And so Priscilla entered herself into the tournaments. Nearly scandalous for a Baroness to compete, but once she came out triumphantly in second place at one of their shows, the hecklers had to bite their tongues.

[image source: unsplash]