In 1946, young Alec Ramsey, played by Kelly Reno, embarks on a steamer voyage along the rugged coast of North Africa. One fateful day, he encounters a mesmerizing wild black stallion, known as Shetan, who is being forcibly loaded onto the boat. Fascinated by the horse's beauty, Alec sneaks into the stall to offer him sugar cubes. However, their brief moment is interrupted by the stallion's owner, who demands Alec stay away from his prized possession.
Later, Alec's father shares his card game winnings with him and gifts him a pocket knife along with a small statue of Bucephalus. He recounts the inspiring tale of how Alexander the Great tamed the indomitable horse. That evening, a fierce storm rocks the ship, causing Alec to be thrown from his bunk. As flames engulf the vessel and it begins to sink, Alec risks everything to save the black stallion, managing to free him just before they both are thrown into the tumultuous sea.
Upon awakening on the shore of a deserted island, Alec discovers that Shetan is still bound. With determination and his knife in hand, he frees the stallion once more. Just as a menacing cobra appears, the courageous horse dispatches the snake but promptly flees into the wilderness. Unfazed, Alec attempts to coax the stallion closer, offering him seaweed. Gradually, their bond strengthens, and through shared adventures, they become an unbreakable pair. Eventually, they are spotted and rescued by a fishing ship, leading them back to America.
Upon their return, Alec receives a jubilant hero's welcome, and The Black, as he affectionately names his new companion, temporarily resides in his backyard. However, a sudden commotion from a garbage collector frightens the stallion, prompting him to bolt. The following day, Alec discovers The Black hidden away in the barn of Henry Dailey, portrayed by Mickey Rooney, a retired jockey. Eager to ensure the horse's safety, Alec arranges for The Black to stay at Henry's barn.
Curious about the stallion's speed, the duo begins training for the racetrack, with Henry teaching Alec the ropes of being a jockey. To everyone's astonishment, The Black demonstrates incredible speed during their training sessions. Sensing his potential, Henry plans for The Black to compete in an upcoming match race against the country's best champions. They set up a secret nighttime demo to show off The Black's exceptional abilities to a local reporter, successfully generating buzz about the enigmatic horse.
As the race day approaches, tensions build. Before entering the starting gate, The Black becomes embroiled in a skirmish with another horse, injuring his leg. Alec, unaware of the wound, gets ready to race. As the bell rings and the horses surge forward, Alec finds himself desperately hanging onto The Black, who refuses to be held back. In a heart-pounding rush, they close the gap between them and their competitors, with Alec spurring The Black onward to a triumphant victory.
