An epic, emotional story of two girls and their bond with beloved horses, the action sweeping between Italy during the Second World War and present day.
When Lola’s grandmother Loretta takes her to Siena, Italy, for the summer, Lola learns of her family’s history of heartbreak and adventure, stretching back to the Second World War. In 1945, Loretta’s nickname was ‘The Daredevil’ due to her fearless competing in the town’s famous Palio horse races – until war broke out and led to sadness and loss for Loretta. Lola jumps at the chance to enter the modern-day Palio on a beautiful horse called Nico – can she win, in honour of her beloved grandmother? And solve a mystery that will bring happiness and hope to Loretta?
"Tomorrow," I tell him, "we're going to go out there and win this crazy bareback race in front of all of Italy, and when we cross the finish line we will be heroes and the contrada will remember us for ever."
The Palio is the world's most dangerous race. The horses are ridden by hard-bitten jockeys - men who won't think twice about using whatever means necessary to beat us if we get in their way.
Nico shakes his mane anxiously. "Hey, hey no…" I reassure him. "Don't worry Nico. Those guys, they think they're tough, right? But they never met a girl from New York before."