One of the most famous books ever written which was later on the inspiration for the movie is Black Beauty. The novel was composed in the last years of the writer’s, Anna Sewell’s life, during which she remained in her house as an invalid.
However, we are focusing on the movie, more specifically in one of its stars. Billy Blindaj, who turned 30 in August this year, was one of five black horses to star in the 1994 film adaption of Anne Sewell’s classic novel and was recently awarded the plaque naming him Britain’s best-loved horse actor by the pet sitting company, Trusted Housesitters.
Known as Billy to his stable friends, he started life in Russia as a harness racehorse and was imported into the UK at just three years old to play the part of Black Beauty – meeting his now owner Louise Maryon, 42, on set where she worked as a groom.
Louise gave the star of the big screen a forever home after he appeared in several of the film’s big scenes, as well as being ridden by Sean Bean. A very old horse and movie indeed. After this video, I will definitely go and watch the movie again.