The story takes place in Australia in 1860, when diabetes was still an incurable disease. An accident robbed the Earl's son Harry (Rupert Everett Rupert Everett) of an arm, making him unable to ride on horseback, who loved horses as a child. Harry hires a coachman named Ned (Hugo Wiven Hugo Weaving), and as time goes by, the two develop a solid friendship. Harry loves a woman named Sarah (Catherine McClements). However, because Harry suffers from diabetes, Sarah's mother is firmly opposed to the marriage. As the days went by, Harry pined away, and before the time came, he wanted to leave future generations to inherit his property, so he thought of Ned and hoped that he could take his place and bring Sarah a son.