The Black Stallion's Steeplechaser


Book Description

Sired by the champion Black Stallion, Black Storm is everything a race horse should be--strong and fast, brave and proud. But he is also very hard to handle, and his unruly nature makes him a misfit at Hopeful Farm. Young jockey Alec Ramsay continues to believe in the unpredictable colt, confident that Storm has it in his blood to become a champion steeplechaser. Unfortunately, Storm's trainer, Henry, has lost patience with the colt's violent mood swings and is threatening to sell the magnificent animal--at any price. Now Alec must convince Henry to allow him and Storm to enter one more race together. One more chance for the Black Stallion's Steeplechaser to prove himself a winner. And one last chance to save Hopeful Farm...Praise for Steven Farley's "The Black Stallion's Shadow (spring 1996): "In the Farley tradition, the plot gallops off to a dramatic start...his simple writing style and fast-moving plot will satisfy those who've devoured previous adventures of the Black and his clan."--"School Library Journal




The Black Stallion and the Shape-shifter


Book Description

After being injured while racing in Ireland’s famous Foster Stakes, the Black and Alec head to the Irish coast to recuperate. While there, they are charmed by the pleasant people and intrigued by tales of the kelpie, a shape-shifting creature of myth who carries unsuspecting riders off to a watery grave. Alec meets a lonely local girl, Mora, who has found a stray pony. Alec, recognizing her love of horses, teaches her to ride. But when Mora disappears, Alec realizes that she has been carried off by the mythical kelpie. Now, Alec and the Black must race the shape-shifter, not realizing that if they lose, not only will Mora be lost forever, but so will the Black.




Son of the Black Stallion


Book Description

When Alec receives the Black Stallion’s first son as a gift, he believes his dreams have come true, but Satan’s savage arrogance makes him dangerous and unpredictable. Still, Alec is resolved to gain the fiery colt’s trust, even if he must risk his life to do it.




National Velvet


Book Description

The timeless tale of 14-year-old Velvet Brown's participation in the Grand National Steeplechase has thrilled generations of readers. The story provides a positive role model for girls and remains ever popular with young horse lovers.




The Steeplechase Secret (Free Rein #1)


Book Description

In this original novel based on the hit Netflix TV show, Zoe, Jade, and Becky investigate some strange happenings at the island's new steeplechase race track. Includes eight pages of photos!




Racing My Father


Book Description

Becoming a steeplechase jockey takes great courage, especially when following in the footsteps of a legendary father. Growing up, Patrick Smithwick idolized his father, A.P. Smithwick, considered the greatest steeplechase jockey in America at the time. In this compelling memoir, Patrick Smithwick recalls how his father's success shaped his own ambitions and dreams. Despite witnessing the pinnacle of the sport, the younger Smithwick started his own journey without a leg up. He mucked stalls and lived in tack rooms, learning the sport from the bottom up. After his father was severely injured in a racing accident, young Patrick did not sway from pursuing his dream. Though he may not have reached the career heights of his father, Patrick Smithwick succeeded in carving his own niche as a top steeplechase rider.




The Young Black Stallion


Book Description

In this prequel to The Black Stallion, we learn the story of the Black before he was shipwrecked with Alec Ramsay. Born in the mountain stronghold of Sheikh Abu Ishak, the colt shows great promise. During a band of robbers’ attempt to steal him, the colt escapes and learns to survive on his own in the high mountains. Will he ever find his way home?




The Island Stallion


Book Description

When Steve Duncan is asked to go on an archeological search on a remote Caribbean island, he never imagines the stallion he will find there. But the giant horse is unapproachable, showing nothing but fear and fury towards people. When the stallion gets caught in quicksand, can Steve get close enough to save the wild horse?




Nerve


Book Description

Discover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time 'You will be hard pushed to find a better storyteller. A brilliant read' 5***** Reader Review 'Fast and furious . . . Thrills and spills from start to finish' 5***** Reader Review ______ Rob Finn's winning streak made him one of the most sought-after steeplechase jockeys. So his subsequent collapse in form surprised no one more than himself. As word spreads that Finn has lost his nerve, he discovers a well-managed campaign to discredit certain jockeys; in his own case, a plan assisted by horse doping. To find the culprits behind it, Finn will have to put everything on the line . . . Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Nerve is just one of the many blockbuster thrillers from legendary crime writer Dick Francis. Praise for Dick Francis: 'As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing' Daily Mirror 'The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish' Scotsman 'Dick Francis's fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader's attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end' Sunday Telegraph 'A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever' Sunday Express 'The master of suspense and intrigue' Country Life 'Francis writing at his best' Evening Standard 'Still the master' Racing Post




Sylvia Rideoutt Bishop Had a Way with Horses


Book Description

Sylvia Rideoutt Bishop (Oct. 5, 1920-Dec. 27, 2004) was one of seventeen children born to a West Virginia family whose ancestors were enslaved. Sent to live with a nearby childless couple as a toddler, she was indulged with fancy dresses and one mesmerizing pony ride that changed her life. Her love of horses took her to the Charles Town racetrack at age fourteen to work as a groom, hot walker and then trainer, all the time fighting sexism and racial bigotry against a backdrop of the swirling Civil Rights movement. She prevailed to break barriers, shatter stereotypes and celebrate countless transforming victories in the winner's circle with many wealthy clients. As a single mother after two failed marriages, financial reality forced her to take on extra work in the shipping department at a nearby Doubleday publishing factory. Never wavering in her passion, she returned to the track to train horses at age eighty. And finally, with little fanfare, she was honored for her pioneering accomplishments as the first black woman licensed to train racehorses in the United States. This never-before-told story will bring to life Sylvia's love of horses and demonstrate her resolve and grit in confronting a litany of obstacles. They included the limited opportunity for an education and the precarious odds of getting her fractious Thoroughbred racehorses to the starting gate when factoring in their health and soundness. Sylvia Rideoutt Bishop made her mark in the alluring sport of kings long before the tennis-playing Williams sisters or Olympic track star Jackie Joyner ever made the evening news. She traveled Maryland's half-mile track racing and fairground circuit in Cumberland, Timonium and Hagerstown. Well past nightfall, she checked on her charges, often mixing poultices for their aching legs and constantly demonstrating her wonderful way with horses.