BEST HORSERACING MOVIES by Susan Granger
Horseracing offers exciting entertainment. The beauty and agility of racehorses is incomparable, and there’s a fascinating sub-culture associated with the sport. While Greeks raced horses in the first Olympiad, organized racing for prestigious prizes was not established until the early 17th century, when Britain’s King James I became the first known jockey.
By the 18th century, horse racing was formalized and the steeplechase was invented. The Belmont Stakes was first run in 1867, the Preakness in 1873 and the first Kentucky Derby in 1875. With those three pivotal races either postponed or cancelled this year – you can stream these spectacular horseracing films (listed in alphabetical order) on Apple TV, Prime Video, Netflix, Vudu and/or Fandango NOW.
“The Black Stallion” (1979), directed by Carroll Ballard, with Mickey Rooney, Teri Garr, Hoyt Axton & Kelly Reno. Based on Walter Farley’s children’s book, it follows a young boy’s adventures with his beloved Arabian stallion – from a harrowing shipwreck to a racing championship. Most of the filming took place on the island of Sardinia with Toronto used for the eastern seaboard scenes. Innovative sound editor Alan Splet won a special Oscar for attaching microphones to the horse’s belly during the racing scenes to catch his actual hoof-beats and breathing.
“Casey’s Shadow” (1978), directed by Martin Ritt, refers to a young boy, Casey Bourdelle (Michael Hershewe) and the colt that follows him around like a ‘shadow.’ His father (Walter Matthau) trains quarter-horses. As opposed to flat racing, a quarter-horse race is a quick dash over a quarter-mile course. It began in the early 1600s in Virginia’s Jamestown colony, where it was run along forest paths. Off-screen, Matthau was a big gambler who once estimated he’d lost more than a million dollars over the years betting on races.
“A Day at the Races” (1937), directed by Sam Wood, stars the Marx Brothers with Groucho as Hugo Z. Hackenbush, a veterinarian posing as a neurologist, treating hypochondriacal patients, like Margaret Dumont, in a sanatorium. Silly slapstick seems far more important than the steeplechase, which had to be filmed twice. Both times, someone goaded gambling Chico Marx to bet on it, even though another horse was scripted to win. Chico’s only excuse was: “The odds were 20 to one.” You can glimpse young Dorothy Dandridge as one of the kids as Ivie Anderson sings “All God’s Chillun Got Rhythm.” And, like “Gone With the Wind,” it ends with the line, “Tomorrow is another day.”
“Dreamer” (2005), directed by John Gatins, was inspired by the mare Mariah’s Storm, headed towards the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Fillies in 1993, when she broke her leg. 10 year-old Cale Crane (Dakota Fanning) is convinced that the promising filly can be nursed back to health and turn out to be a winner. Her co-stars include Kurt Russell & Kris Kristofferson. Corny and predictable, yet heartwarming, it’s enjoyed great popularity.
“The Great Dan Patch” (1949), directed by Joseph M. Newman, is also known as “Dan Patch” & “Ride a Reckless Mile.” Defying all pacers and trotters, Dan Patch was known as the Wonder Horse, certainly the greatest harness-racing horse in the history of the two-wheel sulky. A large, mahogany brown stallion, he was very gentle, particularly with children. At the end of a race, he’d nod his head at the crowd, as if to acknowledge their applause. The plot revolves around Dan’s owner (Dennis O’Keefe) and the two women (Gail Russell, Ruth Warrick) who loved him.
“Hidalgo” (2004), directed by Joe Johnston, with Viggo Mortensen, Omar Sharif & Malcolm McDowell. Based on real-life dispatch rider, Frank T. Hopkins, who joins the world’s longest, most grueling horse race across the barren Saudi-Arabian Desert, riding his beloved mustang, competing against Bedouins. The scene where Frank realizes his knife is too short to fight the swordsmen, and decides to throw it instead, is homage to “Indiana Jones” and his famous gun scene. Viggo Mortensen, who did many of his own stunts, later bought the horse that played the title character.
“National Velvet” (1944), directed by Clarence Brown, with Elizabeth Taylor & Mickey Rooney. Based on Enid Bagnold’s novel, a 12 year-old British girl is determined to enter her horse in the prestigious Grand National Sweepstakes. Despite the locale, no attempt was made to employ English accents. Elizabeth Taylor fell from King Charles – a.k.a. The Pie – and broke her back, an injury that would plague her for the rest of her life. After filming was completed, M.G.M. gave King Charles to Elizabeth. King Charles was a grandson of Man O’War and had been trained (by my dad, S. Sylvan Simon) as a show jumper.
“Phar Lap” (1983), directed by Simon Wincer, with Tom Burlington & Richard Morgan, following a legendary New Zealand-born racehorse that mysteriously died, possibly by poisoning, in 1933 in America. After his death, Phar Lap’s stuffed hide was donated to the Melbourne Museum and his skeleton to Australia’s National Museum in Canberra.
“Seabiscuit” (2003), directed by Gary Ross, with Tobey Maguire, Elizabeth Banks & Jeff Bridges. Based on Laura Hillenbrand’s best-seller, set during the Great Depression, it features a down-and-out horse that stunned the racing world, competing against Triple Crown winner War Admiral. The Seabiscuit/War Admiral race, originally held at Pimlico, was filmed at Lexington, Kentucky’s Keeneland race track. And Seabiscuit’s calming stable companions were a mongrel named Pocatell and a mare Pumpkin; both accompanied him to all his races.
“Secretariat” (2010), directed by Randall Wallace, with Diane Lane, John Malkovich & James Cromwell. Introducing not only the astonishing thoroughbred but also a determined housewife, Penny Chenery, plus newsreel footage of Secretariat’s winning the 1973 Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths to take the Triple Crown. All the racing scenes are re-creations, except historical footage of the Preakness. Some of the close-up shots were achieved by attaching lightweight digital cameras close to the horses as they galloped around the track. Five different horses played Secretariat, each fitted with special make-up to replicate the three “white socks,” facial stripe and star.