Off to the Races

Vaughn is the second narrator and protagonist in Off to the Races. The novel begins shortly after Vaughn has lost his grandfather Dermot, who died of a heart attack when the public learned that he had been involved in a race-fixing scandal. In the aftermath of the scandal and Dermot’s death, Vaughn leaves his role at the profitable mining arm of the family business and returns to the ranch to try to restore its reputation and find proof of his grandfather’s innocence.

Vaughn’s objective is tied up in his grief, not only for his grandfather but also for his father, who died in a horse-racing accident when Vaughn was 10 years old. After this event, the young Vaughn was raised by his grandfather, as his father’s death left Vaughn’s mother struggling with alcohol use. Vaughn’s loyalty to his family is therefore particularly focused on Dermot, to whom he feels a strong sense of obligation. Vaughn struggles with the sense that his living family members—his mother and his brother, Cole—do not understand his grief. He grows frustrated when they push him to process his grief in specific ways, and he deeply appreciates Billie’s observation that he has the right to express his grief in whatever form it needs to take.

Vaughn can be stubborn and reactionary, and he often clashes with Billie in the novel’s earlier chapters. When Billie first arrives on the ranch, he mistakes her for one of the women whom his matchmaking mother is trying to foist on him; the misunderstanding is also precipitated by his expectation that a male “Billy” is coming to interview for the trainer role, and he impulsively lashes out at her, speaking aggressively and rudely. Even so, whenever Vaughn realizes the error of his ways, he apologizes. This dynamic recurs throughout the novel, suggesting that although he may never move beyond his impulsiveness, he will learn to make suitable amends for his missteps.

Vaughn’s primary emotional arc arises from The Struggle to Forgive Family Members. He spends much of his time trying to find evidence that Dermot did not fix any horse races, as his idealized view of his grandfather prevents him from believing that such a thing could be true. Even when Vaughn learns of Dermot’s guilt, he still wants to publicly clear his grandfather’s name. The novel presents this desire as an overinvestment in the realm of public opinion. Ultimately, Vaughn must learn to relinquish this concern when his unethical deal with Dalca nearly costs him his relationship with Billie. Ultimately, sound advice from Cole and a sincere, vulnerable letter from Dermot help Vaughn reconsider his position, and he makes amends with Billie by putting her happiness ahead of his late grandfather’s reputation. At the end of the novel, Vaughn proposes to Billie, and the two look forward to rebuilding Gold Rush Ranch’s reputation together.

Violet is a groom at Gold Rush Ranch. She eventually becomes DD’s jockey and is the one riding him during his successful qualifying race and later derby victory. Violet is initially shy and reserved, but her friendship with Billie leads her to become more outspoken, though she still hides certain details about her personal and romantic life. Violet and Billie bond over the enjoyment they find in working with another woman who recognizes the issues involved in Overcoming Sexist Attitudes in Male-Dominated Fields. Violet and Billie become increasingly close friends over the course of the novel, and Violet provides valuable support for Billie during her short breakup with Vaughn.

The novel briefly alludes to an unexplained past between Violet and Vaughn’s brother, Cole, and Silver also drops in calculated references to Violet’s emotional distress. These loose threads are not resolved in Off to the Races, as Silver’s intention is to set up the premise for the next novel, A Photo Finish, in which Violet will play a starring role.

Hank is the head groom at Gold Rush Ranch. Vaughn hires Hank after Dermot’s scandal and death, as Hank was one of his grandfather’s best friends and is an accomplished stable manager. Hank, in turn, urges Billie to come interview for the training position, as the two have worked together before. Because Hank’s influence brings the two protagonists together, he also serves as a mentor to them both, although his bond with Billie is particularly strong. Hank is a static character who serves primarily to provide advice or aid when the other characters need it.

In temperament, Hank is consistently kind and cheerful, and Vaughn trusts his judgment implicitly. For this reason, Hank helps Vaughn see Billie’s value in the initial interview, and he later points out Vaughn’s mistake, criticizing him for his decision to sell DD to Stefan Dalca. Hank stands as an avatar of justice and moral authority in the novel, and his advice often carries weight. He sees Billie as a daughter, and when he advises her to avoid closing herself off to the possibility of love, she takes his wisdom to heart. At the end of the novel, Hank also helps Vaughn achieve his “grand gesture” of surprising Billie at the derby with the news that she now officially owns and trains DD.