10 Horse Movies Based on True Stories!

10 Horse Movies “Inspired by True Events” 

One might think that a movie based on real life would be much more accurate and realistic. Sadly, that is not always the case. Many movies are only “inspired” by something that actually happened, but in reality have little to do with actual events or people.

In the end, it’s just entertainment. Here are  top 10 movies about horses that were “inspired by true events”:

1. Miracle of the White Stallions (1963)

Based on the true story of Colonel Alios Podhajsky, Miracle of the White Stallions is a departure from the traditional 1960s Disney movie. A true drama in every sense of the word, the film is set during World War II and tells the tale of the famed Lipizzan horses of the Spanish Riding School and their escape from Vienna.

2. Phar Lap (1983) 

Tommy (Tom Burlinson) works as a stable boy for horse trainer Harry Telford (Martin Vaughan). Telford takes a risk in leasing a gaunt horse named Phar Lap from his boss, Dave Davis (Ron Leibman), entrusting care of the animal to Tommy. But when Phar Lap begins an unexpected winning spree, Telford must fend off pressure from other racers and disgruntled gamblers -- not to mention the boss and his wife (Judy Morris), who have both taken a keen interest in the horse and its earning potential.

3. Champions (1984)

The true story of Bob Champion, a British steeple chase jockey who, in the late 1970s, was diagnosed with cancer. Rather than succumb to the disease, however, Bob stages a miraculous recovery and goes on to win the 1981 Grand National steeple chase on the horse Aldaniti.

4. Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken (1991) 

 

Set in Atlantic City during the Depression, this is the story of Sonora Webster (Gabrielle Anwar), a runaway who gets a job in the girl-and-horse high diving act of Dr. Carver (Michael Schoeffling). The film is based on the memoirs of Sonora Webster, “A Girl and Five Brave Horses”. The high diving horses were recently in the news when the Steel Pier briefly considered bringing them back, before quickly realizing their mistake.

5. Shergar (1999)

 

While this movie is based on an actual event, the plot is pure fiction. In 1983, the Irish race horse Shergar was abducted by the IRA. Shergar was a bay horse with a broad white blaze bred by his owner the Aga Khan in County Kildare Ireland. He was sired by Great Nephew, a British stallion whose wins included the Prix du Moulin and whose other progeny included Grundy, Mrs Penny and Tolmi. In the movie, Shergar is rescued by an orphaned boy.

6. Seabiscuit (2003) 

 

Staring Toby Maguire and Jeff Bridges, this blockbuster film is another feel-good story from the Depression. A pint-sized thoroughbred and a scrappy jockey lift the country’s spirits by succeeding despite the odds.  There is also a 1949 film called The Story of Seabiscuit , which featured Shirley Temple and had little in common with actual events.

7. Hidalgo (2004) 

Cavalry dispatch rider Frank Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen) is reduced to performing in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, but his reputation as a great long-distance rider leads to an invitation from a wealthy sheik (Omar Sharif) to compete in the 3,000-mile “Ocean of Fire” race across the Arabian Desert.

8. Dreamer (2005)

 

Ben Crane (Kurt Russell) is a horse trainer who is struggling to connect with his precocious daughter, Cale (Dakota Fanning). But then a horse by the name of Soñador suffers a broken leg after its evil owner (David Morse) races her despite Ben's advice. Rather than put his client's injured horse down, Ben adopts her and welcomes Cale into the family business. They train Soñador to race again as grouchy but kind-hearted Grandpa (Kris Kristofferson) lends his encouragement.

9. Ruffian (2007)

A made-for-TV movie chronicling the short life of one of the best fillies in Thoroughbred racing. At a time when equality and women’s rights were hot topics of the day, Ruffian waged her own battle of the sexes on the track. Sam Shepard plays trainer Frank Whiteley.

10. Secretariat (2010) 

Diane Lane plays Penny Chenery Tweedy, who takes over her father’s racing stables and manages, with the help of  veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich), to produce a Triple Crown winner.