The Racehorse Who Wouldn't Gallop
Clare Balding, Tony Ross
Subjects
- Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
- Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Average rating
‘A heart-warming story with a great girl-power message’ – Jacqueline Wilson
Charlie Bass is a horse-mad ten-year-old who dreams of owning her own pony. So when she accidentally manages to buy a racehorse, Charlie is thrilled.
The horse she buys, Noble Warrior, looks the part: strong, fit and healthy. There’s just one problem – he won’t gallop. In fact, he won’t even leave his stable without his best friend, a naughty palomino pony called Percy.
Charlie is convinced that Noble Warrior has what it takes to be a champion. But can she prove it? Derby Day is fast approaching and only a win can save the family farm from being repossessed.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for the Basses. Can Charlie turn her chaotic family into a top training team? Can Noble Warrior overcome his nerves? Will Percy the pony ever stop farting?
Find out in this classic, funny animal story, perfect for fans of Dick King-Smith and Gerald Durrell.
Reviews
I really liked this book. Noddy was my favourite…. I love horses. I would recommend this book… the ending was great! Definitely the best bit.
Duchess Sunny Frankfurter 29.07.2025
it was really enjoyable and shows anything is possible and even accidents can help to improve.
Queen Rose Submarine 24.08.2024
Star Reviewer
it was a good book but I think a bit too young for me
Lieutenant Pudsey Pawprint 19.08.2024
Great!
Fairy Bubbles Lavalamp 30.12.2023
Star Reviewer
It was a very great book because I like horses. I love it!
Professor Sunny Supermarket 30.09.2023
It was interesting. i liked the story
Judge Pansy Yo-yo 11.09.2023
I liked this book because it is an adventure story. My favourite character Charlie accidentally buys 2 horses. The two horses had to race together they can’t race apart. They end up winning a Derby and they spend all the winnings on the farmhouse and it is a happy ending. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves horses.
General Esmerelda Haystack 17.08.2023
I really liked the concept of the equestrian theme and mix of reality and fiction . Plus I loved the bonding between Charlie and Noddy. Reccomend to horse lovers / fans of horse racing
Director Bijou Nuggets 26.07.2023
it was exiting scary and fun
Constable Merlin Borneo 24.07.2023
This book gets better the longer you read it! Don't stop reading it, because it has a great ending. I liked the main character the most because, though everyone likes her, she isn't cocky.
Princess Mildred Slingshot 22.07.2023
It was interesting but I didn’t enjoy it that much - school library book
Anonymous 07.07.2023
It was nice. I read it from the school library and read it with Sassy the therapy dog
Anonymous 22.06.2023
I found it really intresting and heart warming. My favourite character was Charlie because he never got sad even when it was hard. Recommend
Anonymous 15.03.2023
A funny and touching book that I thoroughly enjoyed and well written too. I would definitely recommend this book.
Lord Pirate Remmington 21.08.2022
Great.
Baroness Diamond Snivel 04.08.2022
Really great book
Doctor Ariel Pendragon 29.07.2022
I loved it because it was about my favourite animal. It was also very interesting and I didn’t want it to finish. Charlie and her Dad were at a horse auction and Charlie accidentally bought Noble Warrior and Percy because she waved her hand to a friend. At this point the family was quite poor and were struggling to keep the farm! The best bit was Noble Warrior winning the Derby because this meant that the family could now keep the farm and afford better equipment. I would definitely recommend this book if you are interested in horses and running a farm.
Judge Daffodil Moonbeam 05.07.2022
This was a really good book! I liked the story and how Charlie let nothing and no one get in her way! She was always thinking of new ideas and plans! Her horses sound gorgeous as well! I would definitely recommend this book!
Anonymous 12.03.2022
Noble warrior, the horse, learned to gallop for races.
Duchess Pinky Postage-Stamp 01.09.2021
I really liked this book because it’s about horses and I love horses. I like how funny it was and the characters I liked the best are Charlie and Percy the Palomino.
Madam Mistral Bluebird 31.08.2021
