Dark Horse

Louise Osmond's uplifting, rags-to-riches equine documentary shows how sometimes ordinary gals-and-guys can not only compete but win at the elitist “sport of kings.” The story begins when middle-aged Janet Vokes, a barmaid in a South Wales workingman's pub, gets an over-the-rainbow notion to breed a steeplechase racehorse. Knowing that she'll need financial support, she rallies her friends and neighbors, including local tax adviser Howard Davies, who helps her form a “syndicate.” Together, they raise the money necessary to buy Rewbell, a brood mare, and locate a promising yet inexpensive stud, Bien Bien. And then they patiently wait for the resulting scrappy foal—named Dream Alliance—to be trained. While the horse's first races against thoroughbreds aren't spectacular, he does eventually become a serious contender, finishing second in Newbury's Hennessy Gold Cup, and then actually winning the Perth Cup. What could be an insurmountable problem occurs when Dream Alliance severs a tendon, and the owners must decide whether to put him down or fork over more of their hard-earned cash for expensive surgery. An inspiring sports documentary, this is recommended. [Note: DVD extras include a photo gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: a small extras package for an uplifting documentary.] (S. Granger)