A small-format picture book/rhyming easy reader, a very silly book about a racehorse who always dreamed of being a winner, but who is actually a very slow runner. So he has a job at the track as the "steward's horse," (a made-up job) carting equipment around. When a racehorse about to race "steps in a divot" and gets slightly injured--in the gentle way of a kids' picture book, you know, he "twists his knee"--the jockey sees Murray watching at the rail with the racegoers and asks him to run instead! The blacksmith shoes Murray, but puts the shoes on BACKWARDS, and, haha! Murray finds that he races much better if he runs backwards around the track! Extreme silliness, very cute kids' rhyming book. Goofy caricature illustrations--the horses have big bellies and tiny stuck-out noses-- match the tone of the story. ( )

A cute early chapter book story about a race horse who desperately wants to race but he just isn't fast enough. His lucky break comes when another horse cannot participate and the jockey chooses Murray. But will Murray be able to outrun the other horses? This book is told entirely in rhyme, which is unique and a great addition for kids making the jump from beginning readers to short chapter books. My copy - graciously provided by LibraryThing, was very British which might make understanding a few of the terms challenging. ( )

This book was absolutely delightful. I loved reading the rhymes and my children loved listening. It was so fun to read that the advanced story and words did not deter them at all. They enjoyed following along and rooting for Murray! ( )

I appreciate the rhymes and the use of different creative fonts used in Murray and the Race Horse. The overall story is amusing. It made my children laugh a bit.

But... the story drags and the vocabulary is a bit advanced, I think, for the audience. I think this would have made a better picture book than a reader.

It is not a book we will be reading again and again. ( )

This was an adorable story about a racehorse who wanted to fit in. I especially loved the illustrations in each page, and the light colors made me think of vintage children's books. Definitely a recommendation to kids of all ages and horse lovers. ( )