Flying Finish

A Race Against Time

When seasoned jockey Charles “Charlie” Marsh is recruited to ride the legendary but temperamental stallion Stormbreaker in the prestigious Grand National, he anticipates the familiar thunder of hooves and the roar of the crowd. What he doesn’t expect is an anonymous warning slipped into his pocket during the pre-race paddock inspection. With only days to prepare, Charlie must navigate treacherous training grounds and decipher cryptic clues that suggest someone is determined to sabotage both horse and rider. As dawn breaks over the misty morning trials, every exercise jump and gallop through the dewy fields becomes a test not just of skill but of survival.

Secrets at Full Gallop

Behind the polished facades of the racing elite lurk rivalries as fierce as any charge down the final furlong. Charlie joins forces with veterinary surgeon Dr. Helen Faraday, whose expert care of equine injuries is matched only by her fierce loyalty to those she treats. Together, they uncover a tangled web of rival trainers, embittered owners, and clandestine betting syndicates—all with motives to see Stormbreaker unseated before the starting tape even rises. With each newfound lead, Charlie’s suspicions grow, and trust becomes as precious as the colt’s finely tuned hooves. When an explosive confrontation amid the shadowed stables threatens to derail their investigation, Charlie and Helen must decide how far they’re willing to go to protect the horse they both believe in.

Crossing the Finish Line

As the Grand National looms under a leaden sky, Charlie faces his greatest challenge: outrunning not only the formidable field of contenders but the hidden threats that stalk him from the sidelines. In a pulse-pounding climax along the treacherous rails of Aintree, every leap over the fences carries the weight of betrayal and hope. When the final fence disappears behind them and the crowd erupts in euphoria, Charlie realizes that victory is more than a ribbon—it’s vindication for a horse and rider who refused to yield.

. Dick Francis, master of equestrian suspense and bestselling author whose authentic knowledge of the racing world and unerring sense of drama have captivated readers for decades.