There is something about horses that brings out the best in storytellers. Maybe it is because they are so powerful, yet so delicate at the same time.
Whatever the reason, there have been a number of amazing horse movies based on true stories over the years.
Here are just a few of our favorite horse movies on Netflix based on true story.
READ MORE: Best Horse Series on Netflix
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The Very Best Horse Movies Based on a True Story
We all know that horse movies are a dime a dozen. But which ones are based on a true story? Turns out, there are quite a few!
In this blog post, we'll take a look at twelve horse movies that actually happened. From racing horses to war horses, these films will keep you entertained and informed.
So saddle up and get ready for a wild ride!
- 50 To 1
50 To 1 is a 2014 drama movie based on the true story of “Mine That Bird,” a champion Thoroughbred racehorse and winner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby, with 50 to 1 odds.
In 2015, “Mine That Bird” was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
The movie stars Skeet Ulrich as Chip Woolley, the horse’s unlucky horse trainer; Madelyn Deutch as Alex, the horse’s training jockey, as well as Christian Kane as Mark Allen and William Devane as Leonard “Doc” Blach, the horse’s owners.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwV9KljqsFU
Check out this video for other amazing horse movies on Netflix.
- A Sunday Horse
A Sunday Horse is a 2016 biographical drama movie based on the true story of Debi Connor. Debi is played by Nikki Reed, a horse trainer, and rider from the wrong side of the tracks.
She dreams of becoming an Olympic champion in the sport of show jumping.
In the winter of 1981, Debi suffers a near-fatal injury, during a horse training exhibition, that leaves her paralyzed.
Debi defies all the odds and takes her horse to the National Jumping Championship.
ALSO CHECK: Monty Roberts Quotes
- Champions
Champions is a 1984 biographical drama movie based on the true story of Bob Champion, played by John Hurt.
About a British steeplechase jockey who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1979. Bob overcomes his health struggles to win the Grand National horse race in Liverpool, England on April 4, 1981.
The winning horse is named Aldaniti, a chestnut gelding who suffered a severe leg injury in November of 1979 and made a miraculous full recovery to return to the track in 1981.
Aldaniti played himself in the movie.
- Dark Horse
Dark Horse is a 2015 drama-documentary about the true story of Dream Alliance, a chestnut gelding.
After overhearing Howard Davies, talking about a racehorse he once owned, Jan Vokes, a barmaid at a local pub in South Wales, and her husband, Brian Vokes, purchasing a Thoroughbred mare named Rewbell.
Rewbell was paired with Bien Bien, an elderly stallion and they produce Dream Alliance. With jockey Tom O’Brien, Dream Alliance goes on to win the 2009 Welsh Grand National.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkaU4tFh1bw
ALSO CHECK: Best Horse Movies for Kids
- Dreamer
Dreamer is a 2005 sports drama movie inspired by the true story of Mariah’s Storm, a Thoroughbred racehorse. (NOTE: In the movie, the horse is named Sonador, which means “dreamer” in Spanish).
The movie follows Ben Crane, played by Kurt Russell, and his daughter Cale Crane, played by Dakota Fanning, who has an unstable relationship.
The two end up forming a bond when they purchase Sonador, who was in jeopardy of being euthanized after breaking a leg during a race.
Ben and Cale help the horse make a full recovery and then train her for the Breeders Cup Classic horse race, which she ends up winning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzTOUGXx3LU
MUST CHECK: Horse Films on Disney Plus
- Hidalgo
Hidalgo is a 2004 epic biographical Western movie based on the true story of Frank Hopkins, played by Viggo Mortensen, an expert horseman, noted long-distance horse rider, and rugged cowboy.
In 1891, Frank was invited to take part in a horse race by Sheikh Riyadh, played by Omar Sharif, an affluent leader and owner/breeder of Al Khamsa (desert-bred bloodline) Arabian horses.
The horse race, known as the “Ocean of Fire,” is a 3,000-mile deadly race across the Arabian Peninsula.
Frank and his Mustang horse, Hidalgo, take part in the race against Bedouins, who race with pure-blood Arabian horses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2sRtzNRDCA
- Miracle Of The White Stallions
Miracle Of The White Stallion is a 1963 adventure drama movie based on the 1965 autobiography, “My Dancing White Horses,” by Alois Podhajsky.
The movie tells the real-life story of Colonel Alois Podhajsky, the director of Vienna’s Spanish Riding School, one of the most prestigious classical riding academies in the world.
In 1945, during World War II, the fate of the school’s Lipizzaner stallions, known as “the dancing white horses of Vienna,” was in jeopardy and the school’s director was determined to protect his beloved horses.
READ MORE: Yellowstone Show Horses
- Phar Lap
Phar Lap is a 1983 biographical drama movie about the true story of Phar Lap, who was a champion New Zealand-bred Thoroughbred racehorse “who is widely regarded as New Zealand’s greatest racehorse ever.”
The movie stars Tom Burlinson as Tommy Woodcock, Phar Lap’s handler and trainer. With Tommy’s help, Phar Lap becomes a champion racehorse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXFJY_2DPo8
- Ride Like A Girl
Ride Like A Girl is a 2020 biographical, sports, drama movie based on the real-life Michelle Payne, played Teresa Palmer, who is the first and only female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup.
She won in 2015, despite facing odds of 100 to 1, riding her horse, Prince of Penzance, a New Zealand-bred Thoroughbred racehorse.
The movie showcases Michelle’s journey from being the youngest, of 10 kids, of a racehorse trainer, Paddy Payne, played by Sam Neill, to her dreams of becoming a jockey and eventually winning the Melbourne Cup.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dgzukeEzlA
- Ruffian
Ruffian is a 2007 biographical, sports drama television movie based on the real-life story of Ruffian, an undefeated Thoroughbred filly racehorse.
Ruffian was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1976.
During her 11th (and final) race on July 6, 1975, at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, Ruffian suffered a fatal injury after breaking both sesamoid bones in her right leg.
The movie stars Sam Shepard as Frank Whiteley, Ruffian’s trainer.
- Seabiscuit
Seabiscuit is a 2003 sports drama movie based on the best-selling 1999 book, “Seabiscuit: An American Legend,” by Laura Hillenbrand.
The movie is loosely based on the life and racing career of Seabiscuit, a small (15.2 hands high- about 5 feet tall) and temperamental champion Thoroughbred racehorse.
The movie showcases jockey John “Red” Pollard, played by Tobey Maguire, owner Charles S. Howard, played by Jeff Bridges and racehorse trainer Tom Smith, played by Chris Cooper.
The trio team up to help Seabiscuit become a winner.
- Walk. Ride. Rodeo
Walk. Ride. Rodeo is a 1999 biographical drama movie based on the life of Amberley Snyder, played by Spencer Locke, a nationally ranked rodeo barrel racer.
In 2010, at the age of 19, Amberley was in a car accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down, as the result of a spinal cord injury.
Amberley defied the odds and was determined to resume her rodeo barrel racing career.
Make sure to check other series with horses.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a movie to watch this weekend that is both inspiring and based on a true story, we have just the thing.
Whether you love racing horses or are fascinated by their emotional intelligence, these horse movies based on a true story are sure to entertain you.
So grab some popcorn and settle in for a night of cinematic enjoyment! Let us know which one is your favorite in the comment section.
What are your favorite horse movies based on a true story? Please share below!
Resources
- 1. Logan AA, Nielsen BD. Training Young Horses: The Science behind the Benefits. Animals. 2021;11:463.
- 2. Wengert A. Seabiscuit’s Secret - Binghamton News . News - Binghamton University. Available from: https://www.binghamton.edu/news/story/1769/seabiscuits-secret