Little known competitor like Black Beauty? (4,5)
I believe the answer is:
dark horse
This clue might be a double definition.
'little known competitor' is the first definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?
'black beauty?' is the second definition.
(Black Beauty is a fictional black horse)
'like' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dark horse that I've seen before include "One about whom little is known" , "Successful competitor of whom little was known, like colourless equine" , "it may be foolish to discount" , "Competitor whose abilities are unknown" , "Unexpected (possible) winner" .)