Based on characters from the book 'Black Beauty' by Anna Sewell. Black with a tiny or long star, and right front leg sock. From 1980-1993, set #3040 'Black Beauty, His Family and Friends' included a black Black Beauty, bay Duchess, chestnut Ginger and dapple grey Merrylegs. (Book not included with the set).
In 1980-1981 this same set was sold through JC Penney, Sears and Montgomery Ward. In 1982, Black Beauty, Ginger and Merrylegs were sold as a set (did not include Duchess) through JC Penney, but the set of 4 models were available through Montgomery Ward and Sears in 1982-1983, and only through Sears in 1984-1985.
In 1989, this model was released as a single #703540 to European companies, and in a 1989 German collector catalog as #3540.
In 1996, overstock Warehouse models were available with a book and green stable blanket as #8900.
Has the round Breyer Molding Co Copyright Stamp, and some models have the B Stamp.