Chapter 4, The Sand-Castle Syndrome Summary and Analysis

When he is 31, Monty meets a man who takes him to "dizzying heights" and brings him lower than he would have imagined. This man is Hastings Harcourt, son of the textbook publisher Harcourt Brace and World. Hastings is in his 60s and an eccentric millionaire. He asks Monty to train some of his horses. Then he asks him to buy two thoroughbred horses on a budget of $20,000. This horse that he chooses is Sharivari, who ends up being ranked the best 3 year old in California. Monty also buys Bahroona for Hastings Harcourt. Bahroona also turns out to be very successful. Harcourt is extremely impressed by Monty's talents. He says he has property in Santa Ynez and is interested in creating a full scale thoroughbred facility. Of course, this is Monty's lifelong dream and he jumps...