This is part two of a series. Read part one HERE.
Horse racing movies are family friendly, adrenaline pumping, nail bitters that have a wide appeal. People have a love and respect of horses for being kind and noble animals. Another reason horse racing movie are popular is because they are usually tear jerker ‘rags to riches’, ‘overcoming the odds’ story lines. We like to root for the underdog and everyone likes a feel good happy ending.
Seabiscuit
A wonderful rags to riches true story film about the legendary racehorse Seabiscuit during the Great Depression. The horse captured the heart of the American public who needed a hero in tough times. The story tells about “the race of the century” in 1938 between Triple Crown winner War Admiral and Seabiscuit. Awards: 7 Oscar nominations.
Details: Seabiscuit, 2003, true story sports drama. Director Gay Ross. Cast: Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, Elizabeth Banks, Chris Cooper, Gary Stevens. Based on the book by Laura Hillebrand.
Casey’s Shadow
A down on their luck horse training family buys a quarter horse that dies but her colt survives. The colt looks to be a loser but the young boy Casey raises and trains the colt to later enter the All American Race.
Details: Casey’s Shadow, 1978, sports drama. Director: Martin Ritt. Cast: Walter Matthau, Alexis Smith, Robert Webber, Murray Hamilton.
The Black Stallion
After being shipwrecked, a boy bonds with a stallion he finds. Upon being rescued, he gets a trainer to develop the horse into a champion.
Details: Black Stallion, 1979, family adventure film. Director: Carroll Ballard. Cast: Kelly Reno, Mickey Rooney, Teri Garr. Based on the 1941 children’s classic novel by Walter Farley. Awards: 3 Oscar nominations, 1 BAFTA nomination, 1 Golden Globe nomination.
Shannon’s Rainbow
After her father dies, a young woman moves in with her mother whose boyfriend owns a horse. They bring the broken down horse back to health and train her to race in the Pennsylvania Cup harness race.
Details: Shannon’s Rainbow, 2009, family film. Director: Frank E. Johnson. Cast: Julian Michelle, Claire Forlani, Daryl Hannah, Michael Madson, Eric Roberts, Louis Gossett Jr.
Phar Lap
A true story set in the 1930’s about the race horse from New Zealand that became a champion in Australia and around the world.
Details: Phar Lap, 1983, Australia, true story sports drama. Director Simon Wincer. Cast Tom Burlinson, Judy Morris, Martin Vaughan, Celia De Burgh, Ron Leibman.
Hidalgo
A true story set in 1891 about a down-and-out cowboy and his mustang that compete in deadly Saudi Arabian ”Ocean of Fire” 3,000 mile cross desert horse race.
Details: Hildalgo, 2004, true story sports adventure Director Joe Johnson. Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Omar Sharif, Zuliekha Robinson, Louis Lombard.
50 to 1
A wonderful true story of a group of misfit cowboys who take an unknown horse to race in the Kentucky Derby.
Details: 50 to 1, 2014, true story sports drama. Director Jim Wilson. Cast: Skeet Ulrich, Christian Kane, William Devane, Madelyn Deutch.
This is part two of a series. Read part one HERE.
