The Black Stallion's Filly

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.

While placed 8th in the Black Stallion series, this book continues the Alec Ramsey storyline after The Black Stallion and Satan. The author's growing storytelling ability shows in this tale, with less of the "gee whiz!" aspects of the first few books, yet with all the charm intact.

Satan has been retired to stud, and a year before the yearlings will be heading for the racetrack looms large in Henry's view. When a daughter from The Black's first crop goes on the auction block, he sets his sights on her, despite her spoiled and erratic background.

I especially liked how both Henry and Alec worked with the filly, trying to undo the lack of proper training she had experienced in her early years, teaching her what a racehorse needs to know. show more The story is more focused, and I found myself enjoying it as an adult re-read, many years after my initial read. show less

I am reviewing this book based on my memory from junior high school, 8th grade. I recall that it was my favorite Walter Farley book I had read yet, and I believe it was the last one that I read. I recall a scene in which the Black Minx is broken of biting: the trainer puts a hot baked potato in his shirt sleeve that she bites, and she burns her mouth, which stops the biting. I always wondered if this would work, or if it was just part of the story. I related to the Minx as one female to another, and cheered her on as she beat all the boys on the track. Now I have to reread it.

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