National Velvet

In the English coastal village of Sewels, 12-year-old Velvet Brown and her sisters happily celebrate the end of their school year. The excitement of summer vacation fills the air as they walk home, but the adventure is just beginning.

While heading home, Velvet encounters Mi Taylor, a young drifter. Their conversation leads to an immediate connection, especially as Velvet spots a beautiful horse being chased by its owner, sparking her passion for horses.

That evening, Velvet's family invites Mi to dinner, where Mrs. Brown questions him about an address book that belonged to his father. This reveals a secret connection, creating intrigue around Mi's past and his relationship with the Brown family.

Velvet confides in her mother about her infatuation with The Pie, the horse she desires. Her mother shares a poignant story about Mi's father, who inspired her during her own remarkable journey to swim the English Channel.

Unbeknownst to Velvet, Mi steals all of Mrs. Brown's savings from the kitchen. However, upon hearing about his new job, he feels guilty and sneaks back to return the money, showcasing his conflicted morality.

The excitement around The Pie escalates as farmer Ede decides to raffle him off. After some initial resistance, Mr. Brown allows Velvet to participate, but she initially faces disappointment when her ticket is not drawn.

To Velvet's surprise, when the winning ticket goes unclaimed, her ticket number, 62, is chosen. This turns her sorrow into joy, and she becomes the proud owner of The Pie, marking a significant turning point in her summer.

With her new horse, Velvet feels unstoppable and plans to enter The Pie in the Grand National Steeplechase. Despite Mi's initial skepticism, he joins her training regime, promising to help her reach her goals.

As Velvet and Mi begin training, The Pie suffers a serious illness, leaving them anxious about his future. The family's concern grows as they rally behind Mi, who desperately tries to save the horse.

Arriving at Aintree for the race, Velvet and Mi are faced with a problem when the hired jockey, Ivan Taski, exhibits a lack of enthusiasm. As the race day approaches, their concerns mount with no suitable jockey in sight.

Overcome by guilt from a past racing incident, Mi initially refuses to ride The Pie in the Grand National. This reluctance leads to a tense moment where he wrestles with his fears and memories of the tragedy.

Determined to participate, Velvet disguises herself as a boy and decides to ride The Pie in the race, employing Mi's support for the transformation. This bold move demonstrates her commitment to realizing her dreams.

During the race, Velvet rides The Pie against all odds, gaining ground as other horses drop out. Her determination pays off when she crosses the finish line first, despite her true identity being discovered soon after.

Following her victory, Velvet becomes a national sensation, earning the title 'National Velvet.' Although she receives multiple lucrative offers, she ultimately chooses to protect The Pie from becoming a side-show attraction.

As Mi gets ready to leave, Mr. Brown expresses pride in having known him despite past mistrust. Velvet chases after Mi to share her knowledge about his father, hoping to bridge the gap left by their complex relationship.