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Black Beauty : $b The Autobiography of a Horse full cast audiobook

by Anna Sewell

Released 14 October 2026 · Updated 14 October 2026 · 5h 22m · 83 voices

The story (no spoilers)

Black Beauty, a glossy black colt raised in a quiet English meadow, learns from his wise mother to be gentle, work willingly, and never kick or bite. Under a kind master, his early days are rich with good food, soft words, and gallops beside the other colts. But a horse's life belongs to whoever holds the reins, and when circumstances force a change, he leaves the only home he has known for a succession of stables, carriages, and owners. Some, like the patient grooms and fair-minded gentlemen who school him, treat him with care. Others, driven by greed, fashion, or plain thoughtlessness, show him how heavy a bridle, a whip, or a long day in the shafts can become. Among stablemates such as spirited Ginger and cheerful little Merrylegs, he gathers hard lessons about pride, endurance, and mercy in Victorian England. Told in his own words, Black Beauty's story asks whether goodness can survive a life of constant change, and whether he will ever find a place to call home again.

The cast

25 speaking roles are listed; walk-on parts are not. Each voice was designed, or chosen from our library of designed voices, to fit how the book describes the character, and it stays with them from the first chapter to the last. Portraits are illustrated impressions of each character.

Jerry Barker
Male, about forty years old, an Englishman living in London in the 1870s, a working-class cab owner and driver. He speaks with a soft southern English working accent with a touch of the country. His voice is a warm, medium baritone, sturdy and open. He speaks at a brisk, easy pace, cheery and clear, and firmer when needed. Cheerful, patient, kindly and steady.
John Manly
Male, about fifty years old, an Englishman living in rural Hampshire in the 1860s, a working-class country coachman. He speaks with a broad Hampshire rural accent. His voice is a deep, gravelly bass, weathered by years outdoors. He speaks slowly and deliberately, with a hearty laugh now and then. Proud, kindly and fond of telling stories about animals.
Ginger
Female, about twenty-five years old, an Englishwoman in a country household in the 1860s, a proud, well-bred lady of the house. She speaks with a crisp Yorkshire accent. Her voice is a low, husky mezzo-contralto with a sharp edge. She speaks in short, clipped bursts, quick and tart, becoming flatter when weary. Proud, touchy, defensive, and softening slowly with kindness.
James Howard
Male, about eighteen years old, James, a stable hand at a country house in England in the 1870s, working-class and fond of the horses. He speaks with a light southern English country accent. His voice is a light, bright, clear tenor, slim and quick. He speaks quickly and warmly, cheerful with an easy laugh.
Black Beauty
Male, about thirty years old, an Englishman in the English countryside in the 1860s, a respectable, well-bred gentleman's driving companion. He speaks with a soft, gentle southern English accent. His voice is a smooth, low baritone, calm and rounded. He speaks at a measured, unhurried pace, polite and direct. Peace-loving, good-tempered, sincere and firm when defending himself.
Merrylegs
Male, about twenty-five years old, an Englishman on a country estate in Sussex in the 1860s, a cheerful working-class stable favourite. He speaks with a perky Sussex rural accent. His voice is a light, bright, high tenor. He speaks quickly and brightly with lots of bounce. Cheeky, plucky, knowing and good-tempered, proud of himself.
Mr. Thoroughgood
Male, about seventy-two years old, an Englishman living in rural Somerset in the 1870s, a comfortable landed farmer. He speaks with a mellow Somerset accent. His voice is a warm, slightly quavering baritone, aged but kindly. He speaks slowly and comfortably, chuckling as he goes. Kindly, amused, shrewd about horses and indulgent.
Harry
A twelve-year-old English boy, a stable helper in the 1870s, with a London working-class accent. His voice is mid-high and still unbroken, light, with quick, eager, frank energy. He is frank, eager, good-tempered.
Polly
Female, about thirty-five years old, an Englishwoman living in London in the 1870s, a working-class cab driver's wife and mother. She speaks with a warm London working-class accent. Her voice is a soft, round mezzo-soprano with homely warmth. She speaks briskly and kindly, practical and cheerful. Good-natured, supportive and friendly.
Joe Green
Male, about twenty-two years old, an Englishman living in rural England in the 1860s, a working-class stable hand. He speaks with a plain Midlands accent. His voice is a mid-range tenor-baritone, earnest and slightly rough with new manhood. He speaks at an earnest, steady pace that quickens with excitement. Eager, willing to learn, quick to feel and sincere.
Farmer Grey
Male, about forty-five years old, an Englishman living on a farm in the English Midlands in the 1860s, a respected yeoman farmer. He speaks with a gentle Midlands rural accent. His voice is a light, soft baritone, plain and steady. He speaks at a calm, even pace, kindly with the animals and crisp when displeased. Good, kind, gentle and fair-minded.
Squire Gordon
Male, about fifty-two years old, an Englishman living on a country estate in the 1860s, a wealthy landowner. He speaks with clipped upper-class received pronunciation. His voice is a deep, resonant baritone with natural authority. He speaks at a measured, easy pace, practical and pleasant. Kind, appreciative, confident and decisive.
Governor Grant
Male, about fifty-seven years old, an Englishman living in London in the 1870s, a working-class head of a cab stand. He speaks with a gruff East London accent. His voice is a low, gravelly, rasping baritone from years outdoors. He speaks slowly and bluntly in plain short sentences. Kind-hearted, fond of horses and self-critical.
Captain
Male, about sixty-five years old, a Scotsman living in London in the 1870s, a working-class retired army veteran now working as a cab hand. He speaks with a Lowland Scottish accent. His voice is a deep, weary, slightly rough baritone, dignified and worn. He speaks slowly, pausing to draw breath, solemn and measured. Noble, loyal, grave and thoughtful.
Blantyre
Male, about thirty-three years old, an Englishman at a country hall in the 1860s, a wealthy gentleman and fine horseman. He speaks with clipped upper-class received pronunciation. His voice is a crisp, bright tenor with a ringing carry. He speaks in quick, decisive bursts, urgent when concerned. Commanding, courteous and quick to act.
Sir Oliver
Male, about seventy years old, an Englishman living in the north of England in the 1860s, a retired gentleman's hunter, working class by habit. He speaks with a gruff Northumbrian accent. His voice is a dry, reedy, hoarse tenor of old age. He speaks in short, sharp phrases, quick to flare up. Gentle at heart, fiery, fond of his master and stubborn.
York
Male, about forty-five years old, an Englishman living in a great household in the 1860s, a respectable coachman in service. He speaks with a precise, formal southern English accent. His voice is a dry, slightly nasal light baritone. He speaks carefully and evenly, respectful to superiors, with firm crisp commands in emergencies. Dry, practical and dutiful.
Larry
Male, about thirty years old, an Englishman living in London in the 1870s, a working-class cabman. He speaks with a broad Cockney accent. His voice is a high, raspy, nasal tenor. He speaks fast in brisk, cheeky bursts. Hustling, sceptical, jaunty and quick with a joke.
Dr. White
Male, about forty-five years old, an English country doctor living in Victorian England in 1870, a comfortable middle-class professional. He speaks with a clear, educated received pronunciation. His voice is a firm, mid-range baritone, slightly tired from broken sleep. He speaks quickly and to the point, in brisk, practical phrases. Temperament: direct, capable and businesslike, calm but pressed for time.
Mrs. Gordon
Female, about forty years old, an Englishwoman living on a country estate in the 1860s, a wealthy squire's wife. She speaks with soft upper-class received pronunciation. Her voice is a gentle, low-warm mezzo-soprano, sweet and rounded. She speaks slowly and tenderly. Warm, kind, anxious for her family and gracious.
Mr. Briggs
Male, about fifty years old, an Englishman living in London in the 1870s, a prosperous middle-class gentleman. He speaks with a formal middle-class London accent. His voice is a thin, slightly pompous, nasal tenor. He speaks politely and precisely at a stately pace. Courteous, persistent and easily put out.
Willie
A nine-year-old English boy, a farmer's grandson in the 1870s, with a soft Somerset accent. His voice is high and unbroken, light, with eager, earnest, pleading energy. He is eager, tender-hearted.
Dolly
An eight-year-old English girl, a cab owner's daughter in the 1870s, with a gentle London working-class accent. Her voice is high-pitched, high light, with soft, sweet, bright energy. She is tender, easily delighted.
Tom Green
Male, about fifty-two years old, an English villager living in rural southern England in 1870, a working-class jobbing gardener. He speaks with a broad Hampshire rural accent. His voice is a low, rough, slightly husky baritone, weathered by outdoor work. He speaks slowly and quietly, with long pauses. Temperament: conscientious, gruff and a little bitter, yet fair and gracious.
Governor Gray
Male, about sixty years old, an Englishman living in London in the 1870s, a working-class head of a cab stand. He speaks with a dry Lancashire accent. His voice is a reedy, mid-high tenor, thin with age. He speaks in a slow, plain, offhand drawl, tossing remarks over his shoulder. Wise, dry, plain-spoken and quietly amused.

Chapters

49 chapter markers; each link opens the video on YouTube at that point.

About this recording

Narrator: Told in Black Beauty's own character voice
Runtime: 5h 22m (complete and unabridged)
Voices: 83
Channel: Best Free Audiobooks on YouTube
Released: 14 October 2026
Updated: 14 October 2026
Author: Anna Sewell
First published: 1877
Kind: novel
Source edition: Project Gutenberg eBook #271
Public domain (US): Black Beauty: The Autobiography of a Horse by Anna Sewell is in the public domain in the United States; text from Project Gutenberg.