Andy Smith
Whether the film looks absurd, fanciful or factual, racing fans will always embrace it, as long as it is about horse racing. Of course, recent years have seen some amazing documentaries, but the best among the racing movies are always evergreen and will never go out of relevance. They stand the test of time, and though they may come with a storyline that dramatises and deviates, the sole mission of the movie is entertainment.
A lot of horse racing films will also include the theme of gambling as the 2 aspects go hand in hand when it comes to movie entertainment. The thrill and excitement of backing a horse in a big race with loads of other competitors, it really is the storyline that will have you on the edge of your seat. We actually have a list of some great horse racing films that we feel are a must watch. Here are our top 3 films related to betting and horse racing.
Phar Lap – 1983
We think that the greatest racing movie of all time is the masterfully crafted Phar Lap. If you are not from New Zealand or Australia where the horse was foaled, you may not know who he is. Now, this stands as a very huge sporting icon that got many Australians motivated again after the great depression.
He was not placed in his first four starts but went on to win 37 out of his next 47 starts, picking up a record 14 game unbeaten run in the process. Within the period under review, he took home the Melbourne Cup, three Craven Plates, Victoria Derby, AJV Derby and two Cox Plates. However, the Phar Lap story that is captured in this 1983 Simon Wincer film, presents the tale of a great horse.
During the movie, some subplots will involve gunshots and death threats which many people may see as events incorporated to make the movie fanciful, but in actual sense, they really happened. Also, injury, outrageous weight carrying tasks, and a great bond between the horse and his groom, Tommy Woodcock – that later succeeded in becoming one of the most loved trainers in Australia, who also made a brief appearance in the movie – combined to make the movie great.
This true and unbelievable film is tender in a very gripping way, and will set your pulse racing whenever it wishes, all occasioned by some of the most captivating and emotional scenes you will ever experience in a movie. All these will reveal the soft side of you that you’ve never seen before.
Champions – 1984
This story may have been forgotten by many, while some will hear it for the first time today. It is about Bob Champion, who defeated cancer and came out to take home the 1981 Grand National against Alderniti. Albeit, the horse he defeated has been off the game for some time because of a debilitating injury for up to one year.
Motivated by a soundtrack that the Grand National still uses till today, you need to view this to get an idea of the ‘old Aintree’ that comes with scary fences, dilapidated grandstand, and very tired winner’s enclosure, all seen in the opening titles.
Without any doubt, John Hurt was not the best choice for a lead actor, so when the film came out in 1984, he was already tired, and it reflected all over him. At that time, he was 44 and Bob Champion was 32, and it was then that he won the Grand National against Aldaniti. However, Jan Francis posted some amazing action, while Edward Woodward interpreted the role of Josh Gifford, Alderniti’s trainer excellently.
The movie has a very smooth storyline, as we understand that Grand National was won by Alderniti, we might as well reveal that the film ended on a bright note. However, Champion defeating cancer when there was no successful cancer prognosis, is the cream of the story, and was very elegantly delivered. The interesting thing is that the title features Ladbrokes entertainment Ltd., which reminds you that the chairman, Cyril Stein still runs things here.
Also, the supporters of the Grand National should bear in mind that there wouldn’t have been any Aintree Racecourse if not for Stein, as the place would have been a housing estate by now, if Red Rum did not win the third national.
Shergar – 1986
You should avoid discarding your mobile device or throwing your boot on the screen of your PC when watching this. This film did not give us a meltdown and we do not mean that you should watch the 1999 film of the same name for two minutes. However, if you can get hold of Screen Two of the BBC version of Shergar, go ahead and get it. But you can only get a VHS version or one in Betamax format. However, buying one of these because you want to enjoy the 1986 film will not be in vain.
The film that was made for TV had Stephen Rea as the mastermind of the kidnapping of the winner of the Irish and English derby, Gary Waldhorn, who starred as Aga Khan. The screenplay focused on the real facts that came to the fore about the kidnapping incident, and the days and weeks after, and there were actually no faults, with a very plausible backstory colour. This gem is long forgotten, but it is an amazing one.
