James Herriot follows his dream to become a vet.

Helen provides James with a reason to stay in the Yorkshire Dales, and he discovers that there is another Farnon brother with an equally unique personality.

Siegfried hopes to become the attending vet at the local racecourse. Meanwhile an encounter with a racehorse threatens to end James's career. Tristan resorts to an unusual method of covering the loss of the surgery's income.

James is as pleased as punch to be the Attending Vet at the Darrowby Show, but Siegfried and Tristan take bets on how long he will last.

James celebrates his birthday, but personal and professional worries put a damper on the event. James and Tristan ignore Siegfried's advice and operate on a prized cow.