The Race

Golden Filly #1

by Lauraine Snelling

Tricia learns to trust in God as she deals with the problems of her father's serious illness and her mother's disapproval of Tricia's involvement with horse racing.

Genres: Horses, Young Adult, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Contemporary, Childrens, Animals

157 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1991

About the author

Award-winning and bestselling author Lauraine Snelling has over 80 books published with sales of over 4.5 million. Her original dream was to write horse books for children. Today, she writes adult novels about real issues centered on forgiveness, loss, domestic violence and cancer in her inspirational contemporary women’s fiction titles and historical series, including the favorite, Blessing books about Ingeborg Bjorklund and family.

Lauraine enjoys helping others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the county. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons, and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a Basset named Sir Winston ob de Mountains, Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).

Reviews

[Victoria Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second re-read. It's the year of comfort rereads

[Megan Helmer]

**re-read** Note to self: stop re-reading this book. It’s depressing and more about cancer than a girl and her horses!

I remember hating to read when I was a kid. All the books my peers were reading and loved I started but never finished. I found this series in my library and it was that set of books I read over and over. Now re-reading it since then my love for sad depressing books makes more sense. This is a great adolescent book but it’s pretty sad - the first two books in the series anyway - about a girls father diagnosed and later dying from cancer.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute!

[Hope Eifert]

One of THE fondest reading experiences of my childhood. I hope my girls go through a horse stage and can read these.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read and enjoyed this series as a teenager, and just read it again ~10 years later. I love the practical walk of faith portrayed; I love the heart-warming characters. This series has challenged me to think about "victorious living" in God and relying on Him more. Plus, I always did like horses, and the stories are exciting and on a topic (horse racing) that I don't know much about, so it was fun to learn. I just wish there were more books in the series!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites books I read in my early teens. Loved the whole series.

[Mahlia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm tired of Lauraine Snelling preaching at me when I want to read about horses.

[Rochelle Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this story of Trish, the aspiring jockey, her family, challenges and triumphs and her friends.
I was 15 when my mother gifted me these books for Christmas(read the first 3 in the series) and loved the easy, wonderful prose and enthralling way Snelling the author pulled me into the story. She inspired my own love of writing and horses!
Faith, family and horse racing are at the center of these books, and I encourage every horse lover and young adult who enjoys a warm-hearted story to check out Lauraine Snelling's work.

[Sarah Hickner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this series as a kid and it literally changed my life. I became obsessed with horse racing and eventually worked on the track galloping racehorses.
Found the books on thriftbooks and bought the first 4 to revisit old times. Wow. So good! So intense!
Can’t wait to read the rest and pass on to my daughter.

[Julia Forrester · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 9 year old daughter really enjoyed this series. The character development is believable and the characters' faith is refreshingly real. I really enjoyed this series myself.

[Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 reccomend.

[Zoey Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really sweet read. About Family, Cancer, Friendship and God. And that even though they had some hard times they got through it together. Trish and her father's relationship is undeniable!

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only complaint that I have is "going into it", I didn't realize the book is a series--the story continues in the next book. I was reading it to see if my granddaughter might like it. I think one doesn't have to be a horse lover to enjoy this series--it's about life. This #1 book features the Dad being diagnosed with cancer--that hits too close to home for me (:

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Golden Filly series by Snelling is a terrible series that is best left avoided. Shouldn't there be a golden filly in the first book of the series? She doesn't appear until for a couple more books. Even then, she is a foal and makes little impact to the series. So why is the series named after her and not the black colt going for the Triple Crown?



If you have a copy, it may make great kindling but lousy reading. Although marketed as a clone of the popular Thoroughbred series, Snelling's horsey series is nothing more than a preaching about why you have to covert to Christianity OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES. The series shows a distinct lack of equine knowledge. And what's with the constant mention of Diet Coke? Do those destined for hell drink Diet Pepsi?

[♡Ryanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

By no means does this series contain completely accurate equine information (as an adult, I cringed in a few spots), nor are the books written as smoothly as they could be (seems to jump from home, school, barn, and track over and over). However, for the young Christian craving a wholesome story centered around horses, they're perfect. As a little girl, I loved Snelling's young adult, horse series and fell in love with the characters and their adventures. Despite the Golden Filly series having some flaws, they are definitely still worthwhile reads.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a youth book and should get 3 1/2 stars. This is a series of at least 10 books all set around a family that owns and trains race horses and the 16 year old daughter is a jockey. I read the fist book and the 9th book of the series - the first being a lot better than the 9th. Lauraine Snelling is a Christain writer so there are mentions of praying and faith and good values through out the series. Nice! Good for years from 10 13 probably.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this series very much. A girl who lives on a horse farm in Oregon wants to be a jockey. Finally, her dream is coming true. Just as it has come true, her father dies of cancer. After this, she learns to cope with his death by turning to God. The one thing I did not appreciate about this book was the whole boyfriend/girlfriend thing throughout the series. But, overall, I definately enjoyed them.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second time I've read this. Good story.

Trish is almost 16, when she'll be old enough to be a jockey. Her mom's worried that she'll get hurt...it's not a job for a girl! Trish's father owns, breeds, & trains horses & understands her need to be a jockey, but his cough is getting worse, & is starting to produce blood. Time to see a doctor!

[Firefly_1824]

I read this series as a horse crazy teenager, and really enjoyed them. I learned a lot about the racing world, and really enjoyed the ongoing story. They have a great Christian message, and the end of the triple crown arc was so hard to get through (which was a good thing). You'll really come to care about the characters. I'd definately recommend them if you love horses, no matter your age!

[Briella Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tricia goes through hard times when she finds out her dad has cancer. Tricia finds peace in the Bible verses that her father gives her. When she is going to race for the first time she is nervous, but determined to win.

[Partridge Public]

Snelling, Lauraine PB

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story and the insider view of horse racing. I can't wait to read more! I did not love, however, that the dad has a bad case of cancer.

[Rivkah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite horse series! I love how the main characture had hard times to get through but relied on God in the long run.

[Lady Loki Silver · Rating 5 out of 5]

FAVORITE FAVORITE FAVORITE BOOK SERIES

[Kyrsin]

Ugh, I didn't like it, it didn't keep my interest.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading these when I was in the 5th grade!!! Wow.......I always adored these books but now that I am older, I do adore them as much....

[Christine Meunier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christian horsey fiction. More at http://equus-blog.com/the-race/

[Sharonperryschmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really wonderful book, for pretend, teens & adults! Great character development!

[Sarah Blodgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Christian preaching got pretty annoying but I'm just here for the horses.