There are few more popular pastimes across the world than horse racing. The sport dates back generations, with the first race involving horses taking place in Central Asia in around 4500 BC.
However, the sport has certainly passed the test of time, and it remains as prominent on the sporting schedule as ever.
Major events, such as the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders’ Cup capture the attention of racing from across the globe, with players typically looking to find standout welcome offer, such as the one found here: https://www.twinspires.com/betting-guides/what-do-horse-racing-odds-mean/
But, the sport has the power to transfer to other sectors, with racing enjoying more success than most when it comes to films. But, what are some of the examples of horse racing being used in modern culture?
Seabiscuit (2003)
One of the most commercially successful sporting films of all-time focuses on the life and career of the legendary Seabiscuit. The film was released in 2003 and it is based on the 1999 book ‘Seabiscuit: An American Legend’ by Laura Hillenbrand.
The film tells the story of a thoroughbred racehorse that was small in size, and typically overlooked during his early career when it comes to the biggest races on the schedule. His unlikely tale of dominance captivating the mainstream audience during the Great Depression in the United States, with the legendary runner later defying the odds to win a match race against War Admiral.
Tobey Maguire stars as the lead, as he portrays jockey John Pollard. The film would gain critical acclaim, and was later nominated for seven accolades at the 76th Academy Awards.
National Velvet (1944)
The success enjoyed by horse racing on the big screen has been apparent throughout history. One of the early releases focusing on the sport was released in the form of National Velvet in 1944.
The film, directed by Clarence Brown, is based on the novel of the same name, which was released in 1935. It follows the story of an equine-crazy 12-year-old girl, who one day dreams of winning the Grand National.
The heart-warming tale follows the path that the lead character has to follow to achieve that dream, despite being ridiculed by other jockeys for being a woman. Mickey Rooney stars as Michael Taylor, while Elizabeth Taylor plays the inspirational young female rider Velvet Brown.
To this day, the film is recognised as one of the best sports films around, and it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 2003. The film’s story also saw it rank 24th in the American Film Institute’s list of the most inspirational movies.
Dreamer (2005)
Horse racing isn’t always at the forefront in movies involving the sport, as it can instead be used to showcase the power that the equine has in order to bring families and communities together. One of the standout films that follow this narrative comes in the form of Dreamer.
This film is directed by John Gatins, and stars Kurt Russell, Kris Kristofferson, and Elisabeth Shue in the leading roles. Dreamer follows the story of an injured thoroughbred horse and how an instant connection with the trainer’s daughter sees the equine given a new lease of life.
The film is inspired by the true story of Mariah’s Storm, who battled back from a career-threatening injury to win races at the highest level in the United States. Dreamer follows the trainer and his family, as the injured horse within his care brings him and his daughter closer together.
At the conclusion of the flick, Dreamer defies expectations to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which will be staged on the first Saturday in November in 2025 at Del Mar. Dreamer was met with largely positive feedback, and was nominated for the Best Family Film accolade at the Critics’ Choice Awards.
Racing Stripes (2005)
Horse racing can be one of the sports to include when attracting a younger audience, meaning its little surprise that the sport has formed the narrative for family-friendly flicks throughout history.
One of the recent standout examples of this comes in the form of the 2005 release, Racing Stripes. The film follows the story of a circus zebra called Stripes, who is accidentally abandoned in Kentucky at a racetrack.
The zebra then grows up believing that he is a racehorse, and dreams of one day competing on track. Stripes is raised by trainer Nolan Walsh, with his teenage daughter forming a close bond with the zebra. Racing Stripes features an A-List cast, including Snoop Dogg, Dustin Hoffman and Whoopi Goldberg in voice roles.
Bruce Greenwood plays Nolan, while Hayden Panettiere stars as his daughter. The film was a massive commercial success, grossing over $90 million globally. It was also nominated for accolades at the IFMCA Awards and Teen Choice Awards in 2005.