When we say popular sports, horse racing is one of the most known in the world. As a result, people in the film industry decided to remake their horse racing movies.
In this blog, you are about to find this list of 12 Best Horse Racing Movies which you can watch over your couch with your favorite foods and drink to enjoy with your family, friends, lovers, or just by yourself.
1. Champions (1984)
English 1h 46m IMDb
John Irvin
Stars: John Hurt, Gregory Jones, Mick Dillon
The first on the list is a movie that is based on the true story of Bob Champion. Directed by John Irvin, this movie is about Bob Champion, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Instead of sulking because he had an illness, Bob miraculously recovered and won the Grand National steeple chase on horses in 1981 in Aldaniti.
Even if you do not like horse racing, or Horse fancier, this movie will inspire you not to give up on things you think will drag you down. Instead, go for your dreams or the things you want to do and live without hesitation.
This movie is a beautiful true story that motivates us all and an exciting film that sincerely opens your eyes to life opportunities.
2. Casey’s Shadow (1978)
English 1h 57m IMDb
Martin Ritt
Stars: Walter Matthau, Alexis Smith, Robert Webber
Casey’s shadow is a 1 hour and 57-minute movie that was directed by Martin Ritt that revolves around Casey, who is a small boy that comes from a racing family.
His friend, a stallion known as “Casey’s Shadow,” appears to be a loser but emerges victorious. Casey’s Shadow is a fantastic film you can watch with your family as this film is about down-to-earth individuals who appreciate their local interests, primarily horse racing.
If you have ever enjoyed horse racing, you will surely enjoy this movie from the humble beginnings storyline up until the end.
3. Secretariat (2010)
English 2h 3m IMDb
Randall Wallace
Stars: Diane Lane, John Malkovich, Margo Martindale
This movie gained 7.2 ratings on IMDb, was directed by Randall Wallace and won over three awards. This film is about a horse’s life that the people around him love.
However, it would be best if you prepared a pile of tissue because this movie has a sad element where the Horse suffered from a mysterious death that might be the cause that the Horse became popular with his success in racing.
Secretariat is loved by many because of its storyline and actors, and the cinematic is beautiful and classy. The production did a great job because this movie will make you feel like you are there in the race, experiencing the sports.
If you want a good horse racing Disney Movie, Secretariat is very highly recommended!
4. Phar Lap (1983)
English 1h 47m IMDb
Simon Wincer
Stars: Tom Burlinson, Judy Morris, Martin Vaughan
Here is another movie based on a true story about horse racing. Phar Lap is a legendary Australian racing horse famous until now because of its mysterious death, along with his accomplishments in life.
This movie was directed by Simon Wincer and won 3 awards from the Australian Film Institute in 1983 and 1 from Motion Picture Sound Editors, USA 1985.
This movie will turn you into a horse lover after watching it and will inspire you to do better things despite the world being harsh on you; no matter how good your intentions are, the world will drag you down.
5. Ruffian (2007)
English 1h 25m IMDb
Yves Simoneau
Stars: Sam Shepard, Frank Whaley, Mark Adam
Ruffian was directed by Yves Simoneau and revolves around the Horse, Ruffian, which was famous way back then because it dominated horse racing in the 1970s. Until one time, during the race, Ruffian had an accident.
If you wanted a good cry, this movie would be the fit for you. This movie serves a lesson that not all people are lucky all the time, and sometimes they can run out of luck and need to be patient.
Unlike other horse racing movies, Ruffian is a movie that has a “not-so-happy-ending” story. So prepare your tissue as you watch these movies alone or with your family and friends.
6. National Velvet (1944)
English 2h 3m IMDb
Clarence Brown
Stars: Mickey Rooney, Elizabeth Taylor, Donald Crisp
This movie was directed by Clarence Brown and based on a novel book with the same title by Egnid Bagnold that revolves around a former jockey who helped a young girl prepare for England’s Grand National Sweepstakes.
National Velvet is good to watch with your family since this movie shows how the young girl’s parents support her and love her. This movie will mesmerize you because of the beauty of the cinematography.
National Velvet is a nostalgic, heartfelt family movie set in 1920s England. This movie is a revolutionary film about overcoming adversity, having faith in yourself, and achieving challenging goals through hard work.
Trivia: This Movie won 2 Oscars in Academy Awards, USA 1946, and got nominated four times.
7. Dreamer (2005)
English 1h 46m IMDb
John Gatins
Stars: Kurt Russell,Dakota Fanning, Oded Fehr
Here’s another movie inspired by a true story of an injured racehorse, namely Mariah’s Storm, directed by John Gatins. This movie is about Ben Crane and his daughter Cale that adopted a horse and saved it from being sacrificed by the owner.
This movie shows that everyone deserves a second chance even if they did not achieve their desired thing on the first try. It also talks about how you should follow your dreams no matter what happens.
If you want to watch a movie with your family, many people will recommend this movie because you can learn a lot from this movie that you can apply to yourself and others.
8. Hidalgo (2004)
English, Arabic, Sioux 2h 16m IMDb
Joe Johnston
Stars: Viggo Mortensen, Omar Sharif, Zuleikha Robinson
Hidalgo will take you to back to the 1800s and watch a not-so-typical horse racing movie. This film was directed by Joe Johnston and about desert horse racing with deadly consequences.
It is about a cowboy and his Horse that decides to travel to Arabia to compete in deadly horse racing. If you want to watch a little different from the usual horse racing, you must try this movie.
This movie is meaningful, and you will find it intriguing. Also, the actors did a great job portraying their characters!
You will love this movie if you are the type of person who does not want a predictable ending.
9. Ride like a Girl (2019)
English 1h 38m IMDb
Rachel Griffiths
Stars: Teresa Palmer, Sam Neill, Brooke Satchwell
Ride like a girl is a movie based on the true-to-life story of Michelle Payne, the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015. This movie was directed by Rachel Griffiths and revolved around a girl who encountered many problems and challenges.
Despite all the struggles and enormous challenges, she ranks to achieve the title of the first-ever woman to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015. This movie will inspire not just you but also women worldwide to work on their dreams and believe in them.
Ride like a Girl is indeed a brilliant and good movie that will teach its watchers to be confident in achieving their dream.
10. The Black Stallion (1979)
English, Arabic, Italian 1h 58m IMDb
Carroll Ballard
Stars: Kelly Reno, Mickey Rooney, Teri Garr
This movie was directed by Carroll Ballard, about a young boy who got stranded on the desert island with a horse that became his friend. When they got rescued, they met a successful trainer or horse racer as they walked home. They begin to train the Horse to join the race against the world’s fastest horses.
If you are looking for a movie with your children or your sisters and brothers, The Black Stallion is a must-watch! This movie is heart whelming, exciting, and beautiful that will definitely touch your heart.
11. Dark Horse (2015)
English 1h 25m IMDb
Louise Osmond
Stars: Jan Vokes, Howard Davies, Brian ‘Daisy’ Vokes
This movie was directed by Louise Osmond and is a documentary, drama, and sports movie. Dark Horse is a 1 hour and 25-minute documentary that is based on an inspirational story of a group of friends that decides to breed themselves a racehorse and join on “sports of the king.”
Dark Horse is a delightful yet beautiful documentary that will show the horse owners’ connection with each other and how important friendship is. This movie shows a depth of emotions that will likely touch your heart as you watch them.
It is a lovely film that conveys emotions and memories and shows how fantastic relationships are with beautiful animals.
12. Seabiscuit (2003)
English 2h 20m IMDb
Gary Ross
Stars: Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges,Elizabeth Banks
Last is Seabiscuit, directed by Gary Ross, and is based on a true story about the life and racing of the Horse named Seabiscuit. This movie received 7.3 ratings on IMDb with over 73,000 reviews.
This movie is about Charles Howard, who is fixing his life after the bad times that happened to the relationship between his first wife and his first child by joining a horse racing. This film wears a sentimental fetlock to every watcher that will make you emotional and teach you that not all winners receive their first win on their first try.
You will love every single time of this movie because of how they let horse racing serves as the hope of the people during their depressed times.
Watching this movie will give you a feeling of gratitude, and you must focus on the most admirable attributes of life.
Summary
Since we are already at the end of the blog, I hope this list helped you find the best horse racing movies that would fit your taste and standard.
I hope these 12 Best Horse Racing Movies will touch, inspire you, and help you gain knowledge on how the protagonists overcame their problems and won an achievement regardless of their struggles and difficulties.
You can always check this blog when you forget what to watch!