The Black Stallion's Filly

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THE BLACK STALLION SERIES BY WALTER FARLEY

THE BLACK STALLION
THE BLACK STALLION RETURNS
SON OF THE BLACK STALLION
THE ISLAND STALLION
THE BLACK STALLION AND SATAN
THE BLACK STALLION’S BLOOD BAY COLT
THE ISLAND STALLION’S FURY
THE BLACK STALLION’S FILLY
THE BLACK STALLION REVOLTS
THE BLACK STALLION’S SULKY COLT
THE ISLAND STALLION RACES
THE BLACK STALLION’S COURAGE
THE BLACK STALLION MYSTERY
THE HORSE-TAMER
THE BLACK STALLION AND FLAME
MAN O’ WAR
THE BLACK STALLION CHALLENGED!
THE BLACK STALLION’S GHOST
THE BLACK STALLION AND THE GIRL
THE BLACK STALLION LEGEND
THE YOUNG BLACK STALLION (with Steven Farley)

Published by Yearling, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books a division of Random House, Inc., New York

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eISBN: 978-0-307-80483-9

Reprinted by arrangement with Random House Books for Young Readers

v3.1

For Paula Turner, who first read this book as
a young girl, and whose dream came true

AUTHOR’S FOREWORD

A few years ago, long after this book was written, I was in the barn area at Churchill Downs the morning after a filly, Genuine Risk, won the 1980 Kentucky Derby. With me was a friend who asked, “How did you know she’d win? A filly hasn’t won the Derby since Regret in 1915. That’s a long time in the record books.”

“Sixty-five years,” I said. “Once in a lifetime a filly may come along like her, one fast enough, strong enough to beat three-year-old colts and geldings in the Kentucky Derby. That’s the way it was with Black Minx, too.”

“You and your storybook horses,” my friend laughed. “But if that’s the way you pick winners, it’s okay with me.”

Yes, my storybook horses have been very much a part of my life. And while I’ve spent most of my time writing about fiery stallions in the Black Stallion and the Island Stallion books, I must admit that closest to my heart have been the fillies and mares I’ve known on the racetrack and at home. Ruffian, the famous racehorse of the seventies, most closely resembled the Black Stallion of my stories. She was a magnificent filly whose speed, conformation and courage matched her massive size. Tragically, she died at the pinnacle of her success, but all who saw her will remember her.

Most fillies are more unpredictable than colts and geldings, but they are always challenging. So it is with this first daughter of the Black Stallion. Even her name, Black Minx, was not easy to come by.

I recall wanting a very special name for her, knowing this filly would have a feisty disposition and a certain look in her large, rare eyes that meant trouble for those who would attempt to break her to saddle, bridle and rider. Finally, I decided that I would ask my readers to name her, and to the boy or girl who submitted the most appropriate name I offered an Arabian yearling I had at home. Since I knew the winner might not be able to afford the care of such a horse, I offered as alternate prize a year’s riding lessons at any accredited riding academy of his or her choice. I was to be the sole and final judge of all entries.

Needless to say, I didn’t realize what I’d undertaken. Before the contest ended I had received well over one hundred thousand entries and regretted there could be only one winner, one horse for so many.

The winning name, Black Minx, was submitted by (wouldn’t you know) a girl, Janice Ohl of Dayton, Ohio. She took the horse!

WALTER FARLEY, 1983

Editor’s Note: Since 1983, only one additional filly has won the Kentucky Derby. In 1988, Winning Colors became only the third filly to win the Derby since the first Run for the Roses in 1875.

Cover

Other Books by This Author

2. The November Sales

3. Home Again

4. The Reluctant Filly

5. Hot Potato

6. Runaway!