Sport and film are two sectors that have been closely intertwined throughout history. Sports have the ability for real-life events to play out, with even directors of blockbuster flicks unlikely to believe some of the uncanny events that occur.
Therefore, it is little surprise to see sporting films dominate box offices across the world, with that narrative continuing in 2025 following the success enjoyed by Brad Pitt in F1.
However, one of the most popular sports for film makers throughout history has been horse racing, as moments on track can often be tense leading to a moment of euphoria depending on the result.
That sense of relief can often be felt by gamblers when making wagers on the best horse bet for today. But, what are some of the films throughout history that have showcased racing and film making at the highest level?
Champions
Unlikely feats of recovery often form the backdrop to any great sporting film, and that is certainly the case when it comes to the 1984 release ‘Champions’.
The film, directed by John Irvin, focuses on the real-life story of jockey Bob Champion, who faced the prospect of retirement after being diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1979. However, the jockey makes an unlikely return to the saddle after going through chemotherapy.
The film largely focuses on Champion’s return to the track and his relationship with Aldaniti, who he would late win aboard in the 1981 Grand National. It is one of the most memorable sporting comebacks, and a film that signals the depths that the rider had to recover from in order to live his childhood dream at Aintree.
Seabiscuit
While most horse racing films become hugely popular among fans of the sport, there are rare occasions when films based on the sport are able to gain cultural significance and a global audience. That is certainly the case with the 2003 release ‘Sebiscuit’, which was directed by Gary Ross.
The film is based on the best-selling book ‘Seabiscuit: An American Legend’ by Laura Hillenbrand. This film focuses on the life of the legendary thoroughbred Seabiscuit, who was largely overlooked throughout his racing career due to his small size.
However, he would surpass all expectations to become a symbol of hope in the U.S. during the Great Depression. Tobey Maguire stars as the inspirational jockey John Pollard, while Jeff Bridges and Elizabeth Banks also star.
The film gained massively positive feedback when it was released, and it was nominated for seven accolades at the 76th Academy Awards. However, it would ultimately lose out in six of the categories to The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Dream Horse
Sometimes horse racing can bring together a community, and create long-lasting friendships that stand the test of time. This can create heart-warming films on the big screen, and that was the case in the 2020 release of ‘Dream Horse’.
Starring Toni Collette and Damian Lewis, the film tells the story of an unlikely syndicate formed by barmaid Jan Vokes involving neighbours from a local area in Wales. It is a story of those involved with the horse, and the issues that each had to overcome in order to get the best out of the horse that they had created a huge bond with.
Dream Alliance would become a cult hero in British racing throughout his career, overcoming setbacks to eventually run, and win, the Welsh Grand National. His career gained traction following this success, and was also listed among the favourites for the Grand National at Aintree in 2010 before pulling up after seventh fence.
Secretariat
One of the most beloved films focused around horse racing focuses on the legendary career of Secretariat. This 2010 film follows the life of the legendary horse, as well as those around him.
Among those include Penny Chenery, who is forced to return to her family home in Virginia to take over the stables despite having limited horse racing knowledge following the death of her mother. It was during this period that she would stumble upon a horse that would change the racing industry forever.
The film is largely based on William Nack’s ‘Secretariat: The Making of a Champion’. Secretariat follows the thoroughbred’s career from the very start, highlighting the challenges that Chenery needed to overcome in a male-dominated world.
The horse’s name is known across the world in this modern day, as Secretariat became the first winner of the U.S. Triple Crown in 25 years, and he is largely regarded as one of the greatest racehorses in the history of the sport. The film was also a huge success at the box office, earning $60 million in the United States from a $35 million budget.
Main photo by Jacque B.: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-a-brown-horse-633767/
