Wonder's Victory

Thoroughbred #4

by Joanna Campbell

Ashleigh's determined to make her dreams come true . . .

In her second year of racing, Wonder, the Thoroughbred filly Ashleigh Griffen has helped raise, is the star of Townsend Acres Stables - until the worst happens.

Just as Wonder is about to start training for the important Breeder's Cup race, Jilly, Wonder's regular jockey, is injured and can't ride. Wonder doesn't like any other jockey, and she won't perform.

Only one person can ride Wonder now, and that's Ashleigh. She's never ridden in a race, but she's Townsend Acres' only hope. Can Ashleigh's dreams and Wonder's trust carry these two unlikely contestants into the winner's circle?

Read Thoroughbred and experience the love and friendship between a determined girl and a very special filly.

Genres: Horses, Childrens, Young Adult, Fiction, Middle Grade, Animals, Contemporary

185 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1991

About the author

See Jo Ann Simon

Reviews

[Sarah Ryder · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very exciting next installment! This is probably my favorite book in Ashleigh’s arc of the series, and I love how she was able to do more in racing Wonder rather than just being her groom.

I liked the character dynamics and the relationship between Ashleigh and Mike is super sweet. Ashleigh does have a bit of a “not like other girls” vibe about her but she’s never annoying about it and truth be told I was the same at her age, so I’ll let it slide, lol.

Very exciting and wonderful story—hopefully I keep liking rereading this series! 🤞


‼️Content‼️

Language: what the heck; oh my God (2); heck; gosh; dang; God (2); darned; jeez

Violence: a character falls off a rearing horse and is injured (not detailed)

Other: someone deliberately spooks a horse with a whip

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was where the series really should have ended. I may not remember much else of this book since reading it in the 1990s, but I do remember that much at least.

EDIT July 2024: According to an online interview with Jo Ann Simon (Joanna Campbell's real name), this WAS to have been the series' original ending. It was only because the books were so popular that she was pressured to do more. She finally quit at book 13, and one super edition, due to burnout. HarperCollins gave her a rough outline for the series, which she rewrote. What specifically was her ideas and what was HarperCollins' was not specified.

[Tarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah! I enjoyed this book in the Thoroughbred series. Really good! Ashleigh becomes more involved than ever in Wonder's life, taking it a step further. I quite enjoyed the descriptions of the racing, and I learned new things about jockeys. It's quite interesting, both the true horse facts, and the fictional story. I was on the edge of my seat during the climax of the plot! Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Ashley Reif · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it! I love horses, especially thoroughbreds! I love horse racing. but most of all I love the horses.
Even though this book is fiction, I learned a lot.
For anyone who loves horses, you would enjoy this series!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is really really good I love it so much! I think that this is a really good series.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book. It teaches people not to give up on your dreams. Ashleigh always wanted to be a jockey and with alot of determination she makes her dream come true.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved these when I was a kid obsessed with horses.

[Gem Jones]

It was a good book filled with action and hart warming moments.

[Ilana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great series for tweens that love horses and/or are interested in horseback riding or racing. Teaches about the struggles of working with animals and the benefits.

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

More of the plot contrivance injuries so Young Female Protagonist can have her victory with her WonderHorse. But it’s been fun to follow Wonder, who is just the sweetest most specialest horse (somehow it’s just heartwarming and not annoying) and it’s nice to have a happy ending! Ashleigh is a fun character to watch grow up, and I’m glad she gets some time to shine before the Next Generation takes over and she becomes one of the Superficial Adult Characters in some of the books.

[Kati Polodna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread.

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

how do i read it on this?

[June Willett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was Amazing! This is my third favorite book, and yet that sounds very underwhelming I rarely give a book five big fat juicy stars.This book had everything, It had Suspense, Happiness, Sadness, Tension (not that type of tension you dirty mind), amazing word choice, etc. Basically you should read this book

[Berita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nostalgisk og koselig, fra de glade dager i Pennyklubben.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Head to Townsend acres and join the life of horse racing in a good read that I feel is great for all ages.

[Annika · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

[Tessa Renders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Er is niet echt iets heel spannends aan.

[JoReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Childhood favourite series (haven't read in a long time) giving all four stars unless it was a favourite as a child.

[Camy Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

GOLD🥇

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Townsend continues to pit Wonder against Townsend Prince in races. At Pimlico, Townsend Prince sweeps past Wonder to victory after Wonder gets bumped by another horse. Brad Townsend, always jealous of Ashleigh and her horse, can't help gloating. The day of the Belmont race, Wonder starts acting very jittery and nervous. Charlie credits her behavior to pre-race nerves. During the race, Jilly is unable to hold Wonder back, and the horse wins the Belmont, second race in the Triple Crown. Wonder's next race is disastrous. She, again, displays extreme pre-race jitters. Unsettled at the beginning of the race, Wonder rears at the sight of another jockey's whip and unseats Jilly. Mr. Townsend tries other jockeys, but they never make a connection with the horse. Finally, Ashleigh convinces her parents and Mr. Townsend to let her ride. The day of the race, Charlie and Mike Reese, Ashleigh's boyfriend, surreptitiously guard Wonder against any foul play. They catch a groom in the act of waving a crop in Wonder's face. Wonder, unperturbed by the last escapade, wins the Classic. After the race, Mr. Townsend gives Ashleigh half ownership of Wonder.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Stephanie]

I have to say I really love reading these to my daughter. We don't mind that they are predictable and we are learning a lot about horses. We read the first four back to back, but are planning to take a break and read some other books in between this one and the next in the series.