King of the Wind

This Newbery Medal-winning novel is a fictionalized biography of the Godolphin Arabian, one of the three foundation stallions of the Thoroughbred breed. The story begins in 1920 at a racecourse in Windsor, Ontario, before shifting to the past to follow the life of the horse, named Sham (Sun), and his loyal companion, Agba, a mute horseboy in Morocco. Agba is present at the foal's birth in the Sultan's stable and is chosen to accompany the horse as part of a diplomatic gift to the King of France.

The narrative traces the spirited horse's journey across cultures, from the stables of North Africa to the racing circuits of Europe. Despite enduring numerous misfortunes and hardships, the horse survives through Agba's steadfast faithfulness. Ultimately, the story culminates in the horse's legacy, achieving glory not only through his own endurance but through the distinguished achievements of his offspring, who helped establish the Thoroughbred lineage.

Description adapted from Open Library ↗.