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The Black Stallion #8
The Black Stallion's Filly
Black Minx has the strength and stamina to win the most famous horse race in the world, but she doesn’t seem to like racing. So strongly does she resist training that Alec Ramsay and Henry Dailey have to trick her into running! But Black Minx has a few tricks of her own …
In 1952, Walter Farley crated Black Minx, the first daughter of the famous Black Stallion. At the time, only one filly had ever won the Kentucky Derby in its seventy-seven-year history. In this classic racing story, Black minx just might be up to the challenge.
In 1952, Walter Farley crated Black Minx, the first daughter of the famous Black Stallion. At the time, only one filly had ever won the Kentucky Derby in its seventy-seven-year history. In this classic racing story, Black minx just might be up to the challenge.
254 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1952
40 people are currently reading
1316 people want to read
About the author
Walter Farley
169 books1,035 followersWalter Farley's love for horses began when he was a small boy living in Syracuse, New York, and continued as he grew up in New York City, where his family moved. Young Walter never owned a horse. But unlike most city children, he had little trouble gaining firsthand experience with horses-his uncle was a professional horseman, and Walter spent much of his time at the stables with him.
"He wasn't the most successful trainer of race horses," Mr. Farley recalled, "and in a way I profited by it. He switched from runners to jumpers to show horses to trotters and pacers, then back to runners again. Consequently, I received a good background in different kinds of horse training and the people associated with each."
Walter Farley began to write his first book, THE BLACK STALLION, while he was a student at Brooklyn's Erasmus Hall High School and Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania, and
finished it while he was an undergraduate at Columbia University. It was published by Random House when he was 26. He used his first advance to go traveling and after that hardly stopped longer than it took him to write another book. He traveled and lived in Mexico, Hawaii, the South Seas, most of the South American countries, the Caribbean Islands, and Europe.
The appearance of THE BLACK STALLION in 1941 was hailed by enthusiastic boys and girls all over the country. An avalanche of mail urged Mr. Farley to write more about Alec Ramsey and the Black. But World War II intervened. Mr. Farley went into the US Army, where he spent the next five years. Most of the time he was assigned to Yank, the army weekly magazine, and he was also trained in the Fourth Armored Division.
After the war Walter Farley resumed the adventures of Alec and the Black with THE BLACK STALLION RETURNS. This was followed by SON OF THE BLACK STALLION. Then Mr. Farley tried his hand at a story about a new boy, Steve Duncan, and a new horse, Flame, in THE ISLAND STALLION. Mr. Farley's readers were just as delighted with this book as his others.
Mr. Farley went on to write many more stories about the two stallions, and about other horses as well. Children of all ages have found Farley titles to enjoy, since many of the later stories were written for Mr. Farley's own children when they were too young to read his Stallion novels. And older readers and adults have been gripped by his fictionalized biography of America's greatest Thoroughbred, Man O'War. Walter Farley's titles reached a grand total of 34. The 21 Black Stallion and Island Stallion stories are still in print and selling steadily. His readers respond with passion, writing him thousands of letters and emails every year. In May 1949, the first Black Stallion Club was founded, in Kentucky. Mr. Farley designed a membership button for it; the button was in constant demand among his readers for years. The Black Stallion books were so popular in the late 1940s and '50s that they York Times annual list of best-selling children's books. Three nationwide Black Stallion contests were held. Walter Farley's books have been published abroad in more than 20 countries, including Austria, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, England, Israel, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaya, Norway, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, and Switzerland, as well as in the United States and Canada.
All his life Walter Farley remained a keen spectator of the racing scene, and he enjoyed nothing more than hobnobbing with horse trainers and other professional horsemen. It is thanks to these people that his books are so full of authentic details of raising and training horses. When not busy working or traveling, Mr. Farley liked to ride dressage and high school Lippizaner horses. He also sailed and sometimes raced his 35-foot auxiliary sloop "Circe."
Mr. Farley and his wife Rosemary, had four children: Pam, Alice, Steve, and Tim, whom they raised on a farm in Pennsylvania and in a beach house in Florida. In addit
"He wasn't the most successful trainer of race horses," Mr. Farley recalled, "and in a way I profited by it. He switched from runners to jumpers to show horses to trotters and pacers, then back to runners again. Consequently, I received a good background in different kinds of horse training and the people associated with each."
Walter Farley began to write his first book, THE BLACK STALLION, while he was a student at Brooklyn's Erasmus Hall High School and Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania, and
finished it while he was an undergraduate at Columbia University. It was published by Random House when he was 26. He used his first advance to go traveling and after that hardly stopped longer than it took him to write another book. He traveled and lived in Mexico, Hawaii, the South Seas, most of the South American countries, the Caribbean Islands, and Europe.
The appearance of THE BLACK STALLION in 1941 was hailed by enthusiastic boys and girls all over the country. An avalanche of mail urged Mr. Farley to write more about Alec Ramsey and the Black. But World War II intervened. Mr. Farley went into the US Army, where he spent the next five years. Most of the time he was assigned to Yank, the army weekly magazine, and he was also trained in the Fourth Armored Division.
After the war Walter Farley resumed the adventures of Alec and the Black with THE BLACK STALLION RETURNS. This was followed by SON OF THE BLACK STALLION. Then Mr. Farley tried his hand at a story about a new boy, Steve Duncan, and a new horse, Flame, in THE ISLAND STALLION. Mr. Farley's readers were just as delighted with this book as his others.
Mr. Farley went on to write many more stories about the two stallions, and about other horses as well. Children of all ages have found Farley titles to enjoy, since many of the later stories were written for Mr. Farley's own children when they were too young to read his Stallion novels. And older readers and adults have been gripped by his fictionalized biography of America's greatest Thoroughbred, Man O'War. Walter Farley's titles reached a grand total of 34. The 21 Black Stallion and Island Stallion stories are still in print and selling steadily. His readers respond with passion, writing him thousands of letters and emails every year. In May 1949, the first Black Stallion Club was founded, in Kentucky. Mr. Farley designed a membership button for it; the button was in constant demand among his readers for years. The Black Stallion books were so popular in the late 1940s and '50s that they York Times annual list of best-selling children's books. Three nationwide Black Stallion contests were held. Walter Farley's books have been published abroad in more than 20 countries, including Austria, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, England, Israel, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaya, Norway, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, and Switzerland, as well as in the United States and Canada.
All his life Walter Farley remained a keen spectator of the racing scene, and he enjoyed nothing more than hobnobbing with horse trainers and other professional horsemen. It is thanks to these people that his books are so full of authentic details of raising and training horses. When not busy working or traveling, Mr. Farley liked to ride dressage and high school Lippizaner horses. He also sailed and sometimes raced his 35-foot auxiliary sloop "Circe."
Mr. Farley and his wife Rosemary, had four children: Pam, Alice, Steve, and Tim, whom they raised on a farm in Pennsylvania and in a beach house in Florida. In addit
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 66 reviews
September 21, 2018
This was my absolute favorite of all the Black Stallion books (my second favorite would be The Black Stallion's Courage, which not coincidentally also involves the filly from this book but also has an amazing look at The Black, as well). Walter Farley was my favorite horse writer growing up, and I snarfed down these books like they were candy--and I'm old enough that they were still coming out new when I was reading them, and the wait often felt interminable. I didn't enjoy the Island Stallion series as much as some of the core books, but you really can't go wrong with Farley's books. Even the bad ones are still good reads if you're a horse lover--well, except for maybe The Black Stallion's Ghost: that one left me cold.
If I had to rank them, it'd be like this.
The Black Stallion's Filly
The Black Stallion's Courage
The Black Stallion Mystery
The Black Stallion and Satan
Man o' War
The Black Stallion Returns
The Black Stallion
Son of the Black Stallion
The Black Stallion Challenged
The Blood Bay Colt
The Black Stallion's Sulky Colt
The Black Stallion Revolts
The Horse Tamer
The Island Stallion Races
The Island Stallion
The Island Stallion's Fury
The Black Stallion and Flame
The Black Stallion and the Girl
The Black Stallion Legend
The Black Stallion's Ghost
If I had to rank them, it'd be like this.
The Black Stallion's Filly
The Black Stallion's Courage
The Black Stallion Mystery
The Black Stallion and Satan
Man o' War
The Black Stallion Returns
The Black Stallion
Son of the Black Stallion
The Black Stallion Challenged
The Blood Bay Colt
The Black Stallion's Sulky Colt
The Black Stallion Revolts
The Horse Tamer
The Island Stallion Races
The Island Stallion
The Island Stallion's Fury
The Black Stallion and Flame
The Black Stallion and the Girl
The Black Stallion Legend
The Black Stallion's Ghost
August 4, 2017
"Anything can happen in the Kentucky Derby."
I've said before that I'll always have a soft spot for the Black, so I don't enjoy the books without him as the main horse AS MUCH as those with him. But I love filly stories, because they don't get as much credit as the bigger, stronger, faster colts. So this is a nice change of pace from the Black, Satan, and Flame.
I've said before that I'll always have a soft spot for the Black, so I don't enjoy the books without him as the main horse AS MUCH as those with him. But I love filly stories, because they don't get as much credit as the bigger, stronger, faster colts. So this is a nice change of pace from the Black, Satan, and Flame.
August 29, 2007
Next to the Black Stallion itself, this is my favorite book of the series. How can you not adore Black Minx, this spunky, contrary filly who takes on the task of all tasks? Again, Farley's ability to capture the thrill of a race and still meet the suspenion-of-disbelief limits of an actual racing fan is superb. He puts you right in the middle of the action and gives you a thrill that's as legit as watching the real thing. When I was a kid, I used to corrall my friends into pretending to be all the horses from this book. I informed them what their names were, how fast they were allowed to be, and made sure that none of them were allowed to run as fast as me (because guess who I was).
September 18, 2012
This book is Walter Farley at his best-- believable, drawing, captivating. As the reader, I was drawn into every hoof beat, every struggle, every moment of Black Minx and her journey into becoming the first filly sired by the great Black Stallion.
In my opinion, Walter Farley was *the* horse author for children. There has never been anyone quite like him, especially for boys. His horses are majestic creatures who can only be tamed by the force of love... quite a beautiful theme that runs through all of the Black Stallion stories.
In my opinion, Walter Farley was *the* horse author for children. There has never been anyone quite like him, especially for boys. His horses are majestic creatures who can only be tamed by the force of love... quite a beautiful theme that runs through all of the Black Stallion stories.
June 26, 2024
I genuinely think that with each new book, Walter Farley got better and better as a writer. I loved how we really got to see in this book how much Alec dislikes fame and the hustle of the racetrack, and Black Minx was such an excellent filly, more interesting than The Black and Satan. This series is a lot of fun.
September 20, 2017
This fiction novel by Walter Farley takes place at Alec Ramsey’s Hopeful Farm in New York City, which he manages with the help of his trainer, Henry Dailey. Henry hears about the first filly by the Black, Alec’s beloved horse, and buys her for himself at a Kentucky auction. The book follows Alec and Henry as they break the filly, Black Minx, and prepare her to race at the Kentucky Derby.
The Black Stallion’s Filly is undeniably unique as a horse book and an installment in the Black Stallion series, a large portion of it dedicated to horse training and horse behavior. Henry repeats the phrase “‘Anything can happen in the Derby’” several times throughout the novel, a testament not only to the spirit of the Kentucky Derby, but also capturing a hidden message about life. Much can be learned from Black Minx—what it means to have the drive to win, even if that means pursuing it with unconventional means.
Walter Farley’s knowledge of horses makes this book an interesting read for those who don't have horse experience, or haven't read other books in the series. While there weren't any especially dramatic twists, there were many roadblocks for Alec and Henry to overcome in the training of Black Minx. The Black Stallion’s Filly is one of the most accurate books I have read about the trial and error of horse training, and horse racing, and one I would highly recommend to people with a desire to read a more realistic book about horses.
Black Minx has many appearances throughout the book, but I did not find that she, along with Alex and Henry, faced any surprising challenges throughout the plot. The book focuses more on her training than racing, which some readers may find tedious, especially when the accomplishments of other horses are described in great detail. Due to this, the pace of the book is strangely slow in comparison to its conflict, but the wait is worth it in the end.
Before The Black Stallion’s Filly, the other books all told the stories of various colts and stallions. This book focuses on the first important female horse of the series, and when I originally began reading it, I feared that Black Minx’s characterization would be dull, as with many of Farley’s characters, or extremely negative. The Black Stallion’s Filly exceeded my expectations, however, as Black Minx was written with a unique backstory and more complex characterization than I had expected from a horse. Not only is Black Minx a realistic character, but Farley’s human characters have reasonable goals and react accordingly to setbacks.
Black Minx reminds me of some of the horses in my life, and reading her story reminded me of theirs. At various points throughout the book, I was frustrated, disappointed, and relieved by Black Minx’s behavior, similar to how I've felt about horses I have interacted with. It is easy, as reader, to imagine what Black Minx would be like in person.
The Black Stallion’s Filly is, by far, one of my favorite books in the series, and one that I would recommend to anyone looking for a different take on the bond between people and horses.
The Black Stallion’s Filly is undeniably unique as a horse book and an installment in the Black Stallion series, a large portion of it dedicated to horse training and horse behavior. Henry repeats the phrase “‘Anything can happen in the Derby’” several times throughout the novel, a testament not only to the spirit of the Kentucky Derby, but also capturing a hidden message about life. Much can be learned from Black Minx—what it means to have the drive to win, even if that means pursuing it with unconventional means.
Walter Farley’s knowledge of horses makes this book an interesting read for those who don't have horse experience, or haven't read other books in the series. While there weren't any especially dramatic twists, there were many roadblocks for Alec and Henry to overcome in the training of Black Minx. The Black Stallion’s Filly is one of the most accurate books I have read about the trial and error of horse training, and horse racing, and one I would highly recommend to people with a desire to read a more realistic book about horses.
Black Minx has many appearances throughout the book, but I did not find that she, along with Alex and Henry, faced any surprising challenges throughout the plot. The book focuses more on her training than racing, which some readers may find tedious, especially when the accomplishments of other horses are described in great detail. Due to this, the pace of the book is strangely slow in comparison to its conflict, but the wait is worth it in the end.
Before The Black Stallion’s Filly, the other books all told the stories of various colts and stallions. This book focuses on the first important female horse of the series, and when I originally began reading it, I feared that Black Minx’s characterization would be dull, as with many of Farley’s characters, or extremely negative. The Black Stallion’s Filly exceeded my expectations, however, as Black Minx was written with a unique backstory and more complex characterization than I had expected from a horse. Not only is Black Minx a realistic character, but Farley’s human characters have reasonable goals and react accordingly to setbacks.
Black Minx reminds me of some of the horses in my life, and reading her story reminded me of theirs. At various points throughout the book, I was frustrated, disappointed, and relieved by Black Minx’s behavior, similar to how I've felt about horses I have interacted with. It is easy, as reader, to imagine what Black Minx would be like in person.
The Black Stallion’s Filly is, by far, one of my favorite books in the series, and one that I would recommend to anyone looking for a different take on the bond between people and horses.
May 12, 2017
loved every book in this series....my best friend Laura and I couldn't read them fast enough
February 21, 2020
Having never read The Black Stallion or anything by Walter Farley, I didn't know what to expect. The story is very informative. It really shows everything involved in getting a horse ready for The Kentucky Derby.
I enjoyed the honest friendship between Alec and Henry. Alec always tried to keep it honest while also not hurting Henry's feelings. In return Henry always listened without getting angry.
I don't know a whole lot about horses, so I don't know how realistic it was that after not having much interest in speed, Black Minx just takes off in the Derby, but it was what Henry was counting on, so I guess it happens.
I wonder, what happens to Black Minx now? Is that the end of her story?
I enjoyed the honest friendship between Alec and Henry. Alec always tried to keep it honest while also not hurting Henry's feelings. In return Henry always listened without getting angry.
I don't know a whole lot about horses, so I don't know how realistic it was that after not having much interest in speed, Black Minx just takes off in the Derby, but it was what Henry was counting on, so I guess it happens.
I wonder, what happens to Black Minx now? Is that the end of her story?
March 4, 2022
In the eighth book in The Black Stallion series, we are introduced to Black Minx, a daughter of The Black Stallion. She is a fast, talented racehorse....who hates training and racing. I enjoyed this story and the glimpse of behind the scenes life at a race track. It is so wild to me that this book was written in the 1950's.
October 31, 2022
I didn't enjoy previous installments in this series, so I wasn't looking forward to it, but this was really good - almost like back-to-basics. I loved Black Minx, and Alex and Henry have a special place in my heart. Walter Farley can really write a horse race! I also love to see Hopeful Farm grow & mature.
October 18, 2025
This was such a great read about how horses are trained to race. It was really an in depth look into how a trainer needs to be firm but patient. It was an interesting and exciting time about the Kentucky Derby and how everything came together before and during horse racing. I really enjoyed this book and couldn't wait to read what happened next.
September 24, 2017
I thought thus book was just okay. when I started reading the series, I only really loved the first book. You should read this book if you like horses, there is a lot of detail.
October 25, 2017
I was lucky enough to find this book in a hardback edition for $2 at an antique store, so I naturally bought it, expecting to be amazed! Well, it was very good, but slightly disappointing. Not much about the Black, and it wasn't as intense as most of the other books in this series.
It is still well worth reading, miles better than most horse fiction, but not as good as the first book, for sure.
It is still well worth reading, miles better than most horse fiction, but not as good as the first book, for sure.
September 10, 2018
Read this book if you like horses.
June 8, 2020
Svensk titel: Svarta hingsten och Argbiggan.
October 16, 2020
Focused on her competition too much and dragged the story out. But it had It's moments, I enjoyed it.
December 30, 2020
This book is EXCELLENT!!!! A great story that also gives a fantastic account of the races that are the run up to the Kentucky Derby and a great account of derby week. The final race scene is spectacular.
February 23, 2021
Quite a good story especially if your into Horses
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July 26, 2023SKW to BHW
October 5, 2023
Read this when I was really young and loved it. One of my personal childhood classics.
February 14, 2024
When I read this as a 10 year old boy I loved it. The horse racing and training techniques were interesting. It was a world that I didn’t know very well.
August 18, 2024
I didn't like this one quite as much.
March 3, 2025
Love this series
April 8, 2025
A good book! I am enjoying these books again after 50 years. Great for horse lovers of all ages.
May 28, 2016
It's hard to describe what kind of hold the Kentucky Derby has for many in the thoroughbred racing industry. It is a horse race run on at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May (and once in April.) But it's also the ultimate high. Better than Olympic gold. It's Venus' arms.
This is the best book I've read about the magic and mayhem surrounding the Kentucky Derby, where the Black's cantankerous and mostly tailless daughter Black Minx is entered for the Derby, despite her not ever winning a race before. In this book, trainer Henry Daley takes center stage as he tried to win the Derby just one more time. Alec is reluctantly dragged along, which shows how grown up he has become when he starts thinking like an adult but yet loyally sticking to Henry as a puppy.
This also shows you how things have changed since this was first published in 1952 (the year Hill Gail won the Derby). The Derby used to be run at 4 or 4:30 -- now it's run about 6:40 in order to accommodate West Coast viewers. Back then, only one filly won the Derby -- now there's been 3. Also back then, you could enter any thoroughbred in the Derby as long as you paid the entrance fees. Now, you have to have a certain amount of points to get into one of only 20 available starting spots.
It's a book that brings up many mixed emotions in me since I used to be such a knocked-out horse racing fan until 1999 when I finally realized how terribly the horses are treated. But once an addict always an addict and I still read about dead thoroughbreds in fact or fiction.
This is the best book I've read about the magic and mayhem surrounding the Kentucky Derby, where the Black's cantankerous and mostly tailless daughter Black Minx is entered for the Derby, despite her not ever winning a race before. In this book, trainer Henry Daley takes center stage as he tried to win the Derby just one more time. Alec is reluctantly dragged along, which shows how grown up he has become when he starts thinking like an adult but yet loyally sticking to Henry as a puppy.
This also shows you how things have changed since this was first published in 1952 (the year Hill Gail won the Derby). The Derby used to be run at 4 or 4:30 -- now it's run about 6:40 in order to accommodate West Coast viewers. Back then, only one filly won the Derby -- now there's been 3. Also back then, you could enter any thoroughbred in the Derby as long as you paid the entrance fees. Now, you have to have a certain amount of points to get into one of only 20 available starting spots.
It's a book that brings up many mixed emotions in me since I used to be such a knocked-out horse racing fan until 1999 when I finally realized how terribly the horses are treated. But once an addict always an addict and I still read about dead thoroughbreds in fact or fiction.
February 3, 2016
Rereading The Black Stallion series as an adult, I find that it holds true to what I remember of it. The series as a whole, and most of the books as individuals, captures your heart and your imagination, and keeps you breathlessly waiting for more. The Black Stallion's Filly is no different. Here we meet Black Minx, a young filly out of The Black who ends up on the auction block. Henry Dailey wastes no time bringing her back into the Hopeful Farm pack. Though she's been spoiled and abused, and though she takes no interest in racing, Henry is sure that with her he can win the Derby. The Kentucky Derby, that is - a race that is made and meant for colts.
This book takes us through the perilous journey of Black Minx's training into racing form, and through the racing scene as it is the year she is meant to run in the Derby. We follow each of her possible competitor's through their races, and we feel Henry and Alec's indecision as they get closer to choosing whether to run her in the Kentucky Oaks, a race for fillies, or the famed Kentucky Derby, a race dominated by colts.
I loved the diversion of all the other races and race horses that are interspersed with Black Minx's story. We feel the passion that Henry and Alec have for the sport as never before. We've always understood that they love their horses, but now we see just how entrenched they are in this life. Farley shares with us the balance in their relationship and the hope that is truly a part of Hopeful Farm.
This book takes us through the perilous journey of Black Minx's training into racing form, and through the racing scene as it is the year she is meant to run in the Derby. We follow each of her possible competitor's through their races, and we feel Henry and Alec's indecision as they get closer to choosing whether to run her in the Kentucky Oaks, a race for fillies, or the famed Kentucky Derby, a race dominated by colts.
I loved the diversion of all the other races and race horses that are interspersed with Black Minx's story. We feel the passion that Henry and Alec have for the sport as never before. We've always understood that they love their horses, but now we see just how entrenched they are in this life. Farley shares with us the balance in their relationship and the hope that is truly a part of Hopeful Farm.
June 23, 2013
The next instalment in the series finds Alec running Hopeful farm, where he's breeding a string of potential racehorses from the Black. And when Satan is injured on the track, he joins them at the farm too. For Alec, it is more than he dreamed for, but Henry is bored, wanting to train. So he tracks down one of the Black's early foals, a filly called Black Minx, and buys her. Like all of the Black's family, she isn't easy and soon the two of them have their work cut out fooling her into becoming a racehorse. And there is only one goal in mind - The Kentucky Derby.
A reasonably enjoyable read. The books are becoming a bit formulaic, but at least the 'problems' that each horse has is different. The descriptions of the races towards the end are brilliantly written and I could feel my heartbeat rising with the excitement, although you do kind of know what the outcome will be! Still, it's a good read while you get there.
A reasonably enjoyable read. The books are becoming a bit formulaic, but at least the 'problems' that each horse has is different. The descriptions of the races towards the end are brilliantly written and I could feel my heartbeat rising with the excitement, although you do kind of know what the outcome will be! Still, it's a good read while you get there.
November 30, 2022
The Black Stallion's Filly, a book that counts on courage, stamina, will to win and speed, catches the attention of many readers. The adventure keeps one reading on and it cannot be avoided. The Black Stallion's Filly, one of my favorites, is a guaranteed great-read!
Summary Below:
Alec Ramsay, a young horse breeder, spends most of his time taking care of life in Hopeful Farm. Well, until Henry Dailey buys the Black's filly, Black Minx, and wants to race her in the Kentucky Derby. But Black Minx doesn't listen to Alec when he tells her to go faster and they have to trick her into running! But eventually, they make her run and race her against the toughest colts of all— Golden Vanity, Silver Jet and Wintertime! Black Minx rocks the race and wins by a nose— the second filly in history to win the Derby!
Summary Below:
Alec Ramsay, a young horse breeder, spends most of his time taking care of life in Hopeful Farm. Well, until Henry Dailey buys the Black's filly, Black Minx, and wants to race her in the Kentucky Derby. But Black Minx doesn't listen to Alec when he tells her to go faster and they have to trick her into running! But eventually, they make her run and race her against the toughest colts of all— Golden Vanity, Silver Jet and Wintertime! Black Minx rocks the race and wins by a nose— the second filly in history to win the Derby!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2011
Farley waxes pretty philosophical in this book about Black Minx, a filly owned by Henry Dailey. There's a lot here about heart, about gameness, about the will to win, and a fair bit about how being up on a horse in the Kentucky Derby will turn a boy into a man. I wonder how all those jockeys who never rode the Derby got to be men? Farley doesn't address that- some things are too deep even for an old horseman to touch.
Solid, engaging, and as ever, Farley's race scenes are pulse-poundingly exciting. After reading one of them, I am always a little surprised that I'm not muddier.
Solid, engaging, and as ever, Farley's race scenes are pulse-poundingly exciting. After reading one of them, I am always a little surprised that I'm not muddier.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 66 reviews