This is part one of a series. Read part two 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 movies 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.
Secretariat
An excellent film about the real life legendary race horse Secretariat, ranked as one of the greatest race horses in history. Against all odds, the horse’s owner took her long shot stallion to win the Triple Crown in 1973.
Details: Secretariat, 2010, director: Randall Wallace; cast: Diane Lane, John Malkovich, Margo Martindale, Scott Glenn, Dylan Walsh, James Cromwell, and Kevon Connolly.
The Cup
A true story about Australian jockey Damien Oliver who won the richest and most prestigious two-mile handicap in the 2002 Melbourne Cup. Competing against the best race horses in Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and Asia.
Details: The Cup, 2011, Australia, director: Simon Wincer. Cast: Brendan Gleason, Stephen Curry, Daniel MacPherson, and Tom Burlinson.
National Velvet
A classic heart-warming and bitter-sweet family sports film, based on the 1935 novel by Enid Bagnold. National Velvet is the story of a girl who wins a horse and with a trainer, enter the horse in the British Grand National Steeple Chase.
Details: National Velvet, 1944, director: Clarence Brown, cast: Elizabeth Taylor, Mickey Rooney, Donald Crisp, Angela Lansbury, Anne Revere, Reginald Owen, and Terry Lilburn. Won 2 Oscars.
Run for the Roses
A sports drama about a young boy who nurses back to health a sick horse. The owner later enters the horse in the Kentucky Derby.
Details: Run For the Roses, 1977, director: Henry Levin; cast: Vera Miles, Stuart Whitman, Henry Brandon, Lisa Elbacher, and Sam Groom.
Champions
Based on the true story of jockey Bob Champion who was treated for cancer and went on to win the 1981 British Grand National.
Details: Champions, 1984, British, director: John Irwin. Cast: John Hurt, Edward Woodward, Jan Francis, and Ben Johnson.
Dreamer
Dreamer is an enjoyable family sports drama based on a true story of the horse Sonador. The race horse recovered from a broken leg and became a champion race horse.
Details: Dreamer, 2005, director: John Gatins; cast: Kurt Russell, Dakota Fanning, Oded Fehr, and Kris Kristofferson.
This is part one of a series. Read part two HERE.
