 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
With her fingers firmly on the pulse of the sport, Ann Hunter's creative process weaves together fact and fiction, transporting readers to a thrilling universe where horses thunder across the track. Hunter opens up about her journey from a bored 11-year-old to a seasoned storyteller, sharing her secrets for crafting a series that has captivated readers worldwide.
With each page, Ann Hunter’s North Oak horse book series invites readers to experience the thundering hooves, the sweat-soaked jockeys, and the electric atmosphere of the track.
Over the last three decades, the North Oak series has evolved through multiple iterations. “A lot of what was originally written is still at the core,” Hunter explains.
But it’s the fusion of racing knowledge and storytelling experience that breathes life into her fictional world.
While writing fiction might seem forgiving, equestrian readers are notorious for demanding precision.
“Not having had the opportunity to be fully in the industry, I often question “Did I get this detail right?”
“Will someone come hunt me down and rail me for inaccuracy?”
When it comes to portraying horseracing aspects, Ann treads a fine line between accuracy and imagination.
Hunter’s secret weapon? Articles from trusted publications like the Daily Racing Form, Bloodhorse, and the lesser-known gem, Ten Furlongs Magazine, which she can point out to when readers raise eyebrows at seemingly fantastical elements.
After all, as she wisely notes, “Wilder things have happened.”
"I'm a lifetime fan of horse racing," says Ann.
"I love drawing from history to help bring realism to my writing."
The stakes are high—literally—and she rises to the challenge.
As Hunter's characters engage in conversations about racing greats like Personal Ensign, this legendary mare's undefeated career on the track is well-documented, but her impact as a broodmare adds depth to Hunter's narratives.
"My characters often talk about greats like Personal Ensign," Hunter explains.
"And it's not just about their racing careers, but also their influence as broodmares."
Personal Ensign's lineage and influence ripple through the pages, connecting past and present.
"I'm so grateful for the resources I have access to online, and some of the racing connections I've made (trainers, stewards, etc)," Hunter says.
But it’s not all data and research. Hunter’s childhood dreams of riding swift steeds play a pivotal role.
"Throw in those childhood fantasies of riding a fast horse, and it isn't much of a stretch to write an entire series about the sport."
Another intriguing thread in Hunter's storytelling is The Green Monkey.
This high-priced yearling, sold for a jaw-dropping sum, failed to live up to expectations on the racetrack.
She skillfully captures the drama, disappointment, and financial stakes associated with such moments, drawing readers into the world of horse racing like never before.
With this potent mix of knowledge and wonder, Hunter weaves an entire series around the sport.
Ann Hunter’s writing adventure began during a seemingly uneventful summer. “I was a bored 11-year-old,” she recalls.
“Spending summers with my grandparents had tuckered them out, so I was sent to entertain myself.”
And entertain herself she did—by weaving a story that would spiral into something extraordinary
Ann’s creative process is fuelled by the heart-pounding drama of the racetrack, the legacy of iconic horses, and the unwavering passion that ignites her storytelling.
Hunter’s aunt, a backside guard at Saratoga, brought her a copy of Post magazine from New York.
The cover featured Hall of Fame jockey Julie Krone, but it was the pull-out poster of Secretariat in his iconic “Superman” stride that left a lasting impression.
“Horse girl me was instantly hooked,” Hunter recalls. “Like so many others, Big Red lit a fire inside my imagination.”
From that moment on, Hunter immersed herself in the world of Thoroughbred racing. She watched legendary horses transition from the track to the shed and witnessed their offspring continue the cycle.
“How can great rivalries like Real Quiet & Victory Gallop, Silver Charm & Touch Gold (and Free House), and big, beautiful fillies flying from last—like Zenyatta—not inspire stories?” she muses.
Hunter’s writing captures the essence of these moments.
She refuses to omit details like Tapit losing focus as a three-year-old in the stretch, only to glance at the crowd and realise, “Oh, were we racing?”
And then there’s the frustration—the raw emotion—of failed Triple Crown attempts by Smarty Jones and War Emblem.
These passionate experiences find their place on the pages of her books.
Hunter faces a unique set of challenges when blending article ideas into her fictional universe.
As she dives into book 9, her focus centres on the prep races leading up to the American Triple Crown and Tiara.
Hunter knows that getting the details right is paramount.
“It’s imperative I get the purses, distances, winning times—all correct,” she emphasises.
Her commitment to authenticity extends to race schedules involving multiple fictional horses. It’s a delicate dance—a tightrope walk—between factual accuracy and pushing the limits of imagination.
Part of the series’ allure lies in its fantastical elements. Enormous purses, akin to those in the Breeders Cup and Dubai World Cup, add drama and intrigue.
And then there’s the wildcard: a teenage jockey. As Alexandra Anderson quips in North Oak #8.5—Hard Check Holiday, “Because what’s a seventeen-year-old going to do with half a million dollars?”
Hunter’s research journey unearths awe-inspiring details, reminding us that the racetrack holds mysteries that defy our grasp.
Ann Hunter, the brilliant mind, stumbled upon a fascinating tidbit during her research—one that stretches the imagination as much as it does the racetrack.
Hunter delved into racing strides, uncovering a remarkable fact: Secretariat, that iconic chestnut powerhouse, covered an astounding 25 feet with each stride.
“Secretariat’s was 25 feet long That might not seem like a lot... until you quantify it.
25 feet is the length of my house.”
Imagine a horse galloping across your living room—Secretariat’s stride spanned that distance effortlessly.
But wait, there’s more. Man O’War, another legendary racehorse, outdid even Secretariat. His stride stretched an astonishing 28 feet. Picture a horse leaping over a school bus—that’s the magnitude of Man O’War’s gallop.
Hunter reflects on the challenge of making these numbers tangible.
“Once you reach a certain number,” she muses, “the mind just can’t wrap itself around it anymore.”
Indeed, the racing industry’s figures—whether in purses, distances, or winning times—transcend ordinary comprehension.
Hunter’s upbringing around horses provides a visceral understanding.
“Having grown up around horses, knowing how it feels to sit a canter, or the way a horse’s breath smells, sounds, and feels against you, helps too.” she declares.
Hunter’s love for racing infuses her stories with authenticity, reminding us that within the thundering hooves lies a world of wonder while acknowledging the sport’s complexities.
“I know there are dark sides to the sport,” she admits.
But she also recognises the abundant goodness it holds. Striking a delicate balance between these contrasting aspects becomes her literary task.
Through her characters, Hunter unveils the magic. One of them muses about the miracle of thousand-pound adrenaline monsters—horses—running on spindles for legs.
These magnificent creatures return safely to the barn each night, and the wonder of each foaling remains undiminished.
For Hunter, the beauty of Thoroughbred racing persists.
It’s a reminder that even amidst challenges, there are still moments of awe and enchantment. Her writing keeps the magic alive, inviting readers to gallop alongside her characters and experience the sport’s multifaceted soul.
Through North Oak, Hunter aims to shine a light on women in sports and inspire young readers.
"North Oak is your classic underdog, rags to riches tale of a girl and her romance with the sport of kings," she describes.
Her dream is to connect with readers on a personal level: "I dream of the day I find that one person who says, 'Me. You wrote this for me.' And I’ll tell them, 'Yes. And I’ve been waiting for you.'"
Ann Hunter’s North Oak series is more than a collection of stories; it is a celebration of horse racing, a tribute to the sport’s beauty and complexity, and a source of inspiration for readers everywhere. Her dedication to accuracy, passion for the sport, and heartfelt storytelling create a literary journey that captures the spirit of the horse and the thrill of the race.