The Black Stallion

Farley describes the attributes of the Black every time a new character sees the horse for the first time. An extremely large, pure black stallion with a muscular body, smallish head, long mane, and a configuration that horse experts recognize immediately as being perfect for a racehorse. Though he has the appearance of an Arabian, he is much larger than typical for the breed. Thus, Alec and other horsemen assume he is a mixed breed horse. As revealed over the course of the novel, the Black is stronger, fiercer, and much faster than any horse the human characters have ever seen.

The single characteristic that sets the Black apart from any other horse is his untamed nature. Whenever he encounters another stallion, he initiates a fight. Thanks to their bonding time on the desert island, the Black will allow Alec to touch, groom, and ride him, but will not allow anyone else to come close. Most humans are afraid of the Black and, indeed, the horse ends up injuring and tossing many people who get close enough to make him jittery.

Henry is a retired jockey who serendipitously purchased the house, barn, and fenced meadow adjacent to the Ramsay’s home just before Alec left to visit his uncle over the summer. A plump fellow, Henry is married to a middle-aged woman Farley describes as being “comfortable.” Henry has a wealth of knowledge about horses and racehorses. He is quite amenable when it comes to providing a stable, food, and training for the Black.

In his racing days, sports journalists named Henry the greatest jockey of his time. He clearly misses those days and perceives, through the presence of Alec and the Black, that he may vicariously relive past glories. His personal connections and experience with track officials, writers, and the racing community pave the way for Alec to have a fair chance when racing the Black against the best racehorses of the day. Henry allows Alec to sit the racing saddle and wear the clothing Henry wore when he won the Kentucky Derby on the great horse Chang.