There’s nothing quite like the thrill of a racetrack. The smell of the horses and the cheers of the crowd make the whole experience an exciting one. There’s also the opportunity to get dressed up and enjoy a flutter. Unfortunately, not everyone lives close enough to a racetrack to experience it first-hand but don’t let that stop you because there are plenty of other ways it can be experienced. Over the years there have been some memorable movies centered around horse racing. Here are 5 of the best so far.
Sea Biscuit (2003)
This movie about a legendary racehorse named Seabiscuit was made in 1949 and starred Shirley Temple. It was remade in 2003. The movie, which is an adaptation of a book, tells the tale of a top money-winning racehorse in the 40s. There is, however, more to the story than just horse racing. Seabiscuit was undersized and overlooked but went on to enjoy some unexpected successes, making him a hugely popular sensation for Americans during the Great Depression.
Secretariat (2010)
Secretariat is one of the most successful thoroughbred racehorses of all-time, so it’s only natural that a movie had to be made about him. He’s even got a place in the listing of the greatest racehorses of the 20th Century by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Disney brought the movie to the big screen. The human element of the story is played by Diane Lane as his owner and John Malkovich as Secretariat’s trainer.
Horse racing is a sport that’s taken very seriously all over the world. If you ever get the chance to spend a day at a racetrack, grab it with both hands because it’s an experience not to be missed. The thrill of the race can also be experienced by watching it on TV, and you can easily get involved yourself by heading to https://www.unibet.co.uk/betting/racing and placing a bet of your own.
War Horse (2011)
Not technically a horse racing film but it’s certain to tug at the heartstrings of any horse lovers out there. It’s based on the 1982 novel by Michael Morpurgo and is directed by Steven Spielberg. It tells the story of a thoroughbred horse named Joey. Joey is sold to the army because his owners needed money to pay the rent after a disastrous crop on their farm. The boy who trained Joey is eventually reunited with the horse when he enlists.
Phar Lap (1983)
Many consider this to be the greatest horse racing film of all time. It’s based on a true story and chronicles the mysterious death of the phenomenal Australian racehorse Phar Lap in 1932. It’s a movie that perfectly captures the bond between handler and horse. If you’re a horse racing fan, you should watch this movie if you ever get a chance, but you might need a box of tissues handy.
National Velvet (1944)
Starring a 12-year-old Elizabeth Taylor this movie tells the story of a girl named Velvet who trained and rode her horse, Pie, in the Grand National. It’s pure fiction, but it’s a movie about ordinary people doing extraordinary things which is always going to make it popular. The movie won two Oscars and was added to the National Film Registry in 2003 for its cultural significance.
