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Dark Horse

The brand new 2025 novel from the master of the racing thriller

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Pub Date 25 Sep 2025 | Archive Date 2 Oct 2025

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Description

Things aren't always as they seem . . .

Imogen Duffy is a young Irish jockey, whose fledgling career is given a huge boost when she wins a prestigious horse race at the Cheltenham Steeplechasing Festival.

But all is not well in her life. She has a violent and controlling boyfriend, also a jockey, and he becomes increasingly jealous of her success. As a result, she tries to break off their relationship, but he won't take 'no' for an answer. He attacks her, and claims that he'd rather kill her than allow her to leave him.

Imogen flees her home in Ireland, coming to England to get away from him, and to continue her riding career at a racing stable in Lambourn, where she finds increasing success. But the abusive boyfriend follows her across the Irish Sea, stalks her, steals from her, attacks her again, and then tries to ruin both her career and her reputation.

Imogen's desperate father turns to Sid Halley for help, and Sid reluctantly agrees to investigate, but then finds that he is also being stalked and threatened. Can Sid find out what the hell is going on, and before it is too late?

Things aren't always as they seem . . .

Imogen Duffy is a young Irish jockey, whose fledgling career is given a huge boost when she wins a prestigious horse race at the Cheltenham Steeplechasing...


Available Editions

EDITION Hardcover
ISBN 9781785125874
PRICE £20.00 (GBP)
PAGES 400

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Average rating from 2 members


Featured Reviews

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I declare 'Dark Horse' the winner of The Best Book I Have Read This Year stakes! This is the best 'Dick Francis' thriller of the twenty-first century and the best book Felix Francis has ever written.
If some recent 'Dick Francis' thrillers have been rather short on equine content, this one is absolutely overflowing with fast-paced action on the race course, and in the training stables, and is enriched by countless fascinating facts thrown in the mix about the history of various race courses and previous champion jockeys, all from the mind of an author who has lived his entire family life amongst the award-winning equine community.
The plot centres on a young female jockey, Imogen, who is under threat from an ex-partner, a fellow jockey. It is full of suspense and intrigue and clever twists and turns and what a thrill it is to meet Sid Hailey again - my all-time favourite character from all the 'Dick Francis' novels (and I have read every single one of them) - plus! A fabulous twist in the tale denouement: who would ask for more in a book?!

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