When farmer Evan's mare has a fine son, he promises the black stallion to his son Joe. The youngster enjoy growing up as playmates. Alas, once the good squire is buried, his mean heir, who abuses animals, turns the screws on till pa Evans is forced to leave and abandon even Black Beauty. He soon loses everything in a cards game, so the stallion ends up in the Hackenschmidt circus. Joe is desperate to get him back.