The Black Stallion Series

Alec Ramsey is on-board a ship bound for home after visiting his Uncle in Africa.

In the midst of a storm, the ship is wrecked, and most of the crew and passengers are lost. On board was an untamed stallion who manages to escape from the wreck and swim to shore, towing Alec with him. It is a riveting story full of adventure. Eventually, Alec gets to be involved in horse racing, as a jockey.

Walter Farley grew up in New York City. As a child, he never owned a horse, but because his Uncle was a professional horse trainer, young Walt had plenty of access and experience with them.

Mr. Farley began to write The Black Stallion, when he was in High School. He later finished the book while attending Columbia University. In 1941, when he was 26 years old, Random House finally published it.

Our daughter Becky says that these books are a must read for any horse lover. Walt Disney turned the original book into the movie in 1979 and then created a sequel, The Black Stallion Returns in 1983. In 1989, when Walt became too ill to continue writing, his son, Steven Farley, took up the torch and began writing the Young Black Stallion series.

Walt Disney Pictures’ just made the Young Black Stallion into an Imax Theatres film (subsequently released on DVD).

There are 21 Black Stallion and Island Stallion stories that are still in print. In total, he wrote 34 books in his lifetime.