Title
|
Year
|
Genre
|
Notes
|
The Derby[1]
|
1895
|
Documentary
|
One of cinema's earliest depictions of racing, set at 1895 Epsom Derby.
|
Kissing Cup[2]
|
1913
|
Drama
|
Silent film about a jockey who manages to escape a gang of kidnappers and make it to Sandown in time to win his race.
|
A Gamble for Love[3]
|
1917
|
Comedy
|
Silent film about a lord who tries to interfere with a lady's horse.
|
Desert Gold
|
1919
|
Drama
|
Australian film starring the famous racehorse Desert Gold
|
A Dead Certainty[4]
|
1920
|
Drama
|
A British film about a rider pressured to fix a race.
|
The Sport of Kings[5]
|
1921
|
Drama
|
A man (Victor McLaglen) looks out for his young ward and her racehorse.
|
The Kentucky Derby[6]
|
1922
|
Comedy
|
Trainer goes to great lengths to keep an owner's son far from the Derby.
|
Kentucky Pride[7]
|
1925
|
Drama
|
Directed by John Ford, a silent film that includes Man o' War.
|
The Shamrock Handicap[8][9]
|
1926
|
Drama
|
Irish lass (Janet Gaynor) comes to America with horse Dark Rosaleen for steeplechase race.
|
Sporting Blood[10]
|
1931
|
Comedy
|
Rid Riddell (Clark Gable) enters his horse Tommy Boy in the Kentucky Derby.
|
Sweepstakes[11]
|
1931
|
Comedy
|
A suspended jockey rides his horse Six-Shooter in a race in Tijuana.
|
Men of Chance[12][13]
|
1932
|
Drama
|
"Diamond Johnny" Silk is double-crossed by his own wife at a Paris racetrack.
|
Broadway Bill[14]
|
1934
|
Comedy
|
Story of a man's love for his thoroughbred and a woman who helps him achieve his dreams.
|
Racing Luck[15][16][17]
|
1935
|
Drama
|
After his horse Life Belt fails a drug test, a trainer is suspended.
|
Hot Tip[18]
|
1935
|
Comedy
|
Leadpipe looks like a cinch, but a tipster persuades a fellow to bet on a loser instead.
|
Thoroughbred[19][20]
|
1936
|
Drama
|
A plot in Australia to kill favored Stormalong before the Melbourne Cup.
|
Educated Evans[21]
|
1936
|
Comedy
|
A wealthy couple ask a Cockney tipster to train their horse.
|
Racing Blood
|
1936
|
Drama
|
Jockey buys lame colt for under $5, turns him into a champion.
|
Three Men on a Horse[22]
|
1936
|
Comedy
|
Greeting-card writer Erwin Trowbridge has a knack for picking racetrack winners.
|
Down the Stretch
|
1936
|
Drama
|
Banned at home, rider Mickey Rooney moves to England to find success.[23][24]
|
All In[25]
|
1936
|
Comedy
|
A broke bloke inherits a stable and sets out to win The Derby.
|
Charlie Chan at the Race Track[26]
|
1936
|
Mystery
|
The detective deduces it's murder after a trainer is killed by a horse.
|
A Day at the Races[27][28][29][30]
|
1937
|
Comedy
|
Marx Brothers in a horse-racing farce.
|
You Can't Buy Luck[31]
|
1937
|
Mystery
|
After his horse wins the Preakness, a gambler is charged with a murder.
|
Saratoga[32]
|
1937
|
Romance
|
Bookie Clark Gable and thoroughbred owner Jean Harlow horse around at Saratoga.
|
Racing Lady[33]
|
1937
|
Drama
|
Female trainer's filly Katydid is kidnapped before a big race at Santa Anita.
|
Thoroughbreds Don't Cry.[34]
|
1937
|
Musical
|
Judy Garland meets jockey Mickey Rooney in their first film together.
|
Breezing Home[35]
|
1937
|
Drama
|
A bookie's girlfriend ends up owning Galaxy, entering him in a big California race.
|
Wine, Women and Horses[36][37][38]
|
1937
|
Drama
|
A gambler wins $20,000 on his horse, but it costs him his wife.
|
Off to the Races[39][40][41]
|
1937
|
Comedy
|
Jimmy B must win the county fair's big harness race to get his owner out of jail.
|
Kentucky[42]
|
1938
|
Drama
|
A Civil War family feud continues 75 years later for a Derby horse owner (Loretta Young).
|
Going Places.[43][44]
|
1938
|
Comedy
|
Sporting goods salesman Dick Powell pretends to be a jockey.
|
Stablemates[45]
|
1938
|
Drama
|
A drunken vet (Wallace Beery) influences a young jockey (Mickey Rooney).
|
Straight, Place and Show[46]
|
1938
|
Comedy
|
The Ritz Brothers get involved with a singer (Ethel Merman) and a horse called Playboy.
|
Trouble Brewing
|
1939
|
Musical
|
Light-hearted adventure of a racetrack gambler paid off in counterfeit cash.
|
Two Thoroughbreds[47][48][49]
|
1939
|
Drama
|
A boy isn't sure whether to return or raise a stable's valuable missing foal.
|
The Day the Bookies Wept[50][51][52]
|
1939
|
Comedy
|
Hiccup can't win until Betty Grable discovers the horse runs better on beer.
|
Flying Fifty-Five[53][54]
|
1939
|
Drama
|
British film about the life of a jockey.
|
Long Shot
|
1939
|
Comedy
|
Certified Check has an outside shot to win a big race at Santa Anita.
|
King of the Turf[55]
|
1939
|
Drama
|
A former trainer turned alcoholic meets a kid who helps him recover.
|
The Lady's from Kentucky.[56][57][58]
|
1939
|
Comedy
|
A bookie (George Raft) and a lady end up co-owning a horse.
|
Seabiscuit (The Lost Documentary)
|
1939
|
Documentary
|
Original documentary about the great racehorse made in 1939 by owner Charles S. Howard.
|
Pride of the Blue Grass[59][60][61]
|
1939
|
Drama
|
A young jockey enters a blind colt in a Grand National steeplechase race.
|
Maryland[62]
|
1940
|
Drama
|
A young man decides to ride in a Maryland race over his mother's objections.
|
He Married His Wife[63]
|
1940
|
Comedy
|
Joel McCrea has big problems with his horse Ajax and his ex-wife.
|
Sporting Blood[64]
|
1940
|
Drama
|
Robert Young risks everything on a race in Virginia.
|
Ride, Kelly, Ride[65][66][67]
|
1941
|
Comedy
|
Injured jockey Corn Cob Kelly decides to ride after learning a race is fixed.
|
Golden Hoofs[68][69][70]
|
1941
|
Comedy
|
A girl (Jane Withers) enters her trotter Yankee Doodle in the "Hiatoga Stakes."
|
It Ain't Hay[71]
|
1943
|
Comedy
|
Abbott and Costello mistakenly steal the race horse Tea Biscuit.
|
National Velvet[72][73]
|
1944
|
Drama
|
A young Elizabeth Taylor bonds with the steeplechase horse she loves.
|
Home in Indiana[74][75]
|
1944
|
Drama
|
A former sulky driver (Walter Brennan) gives his nephew lessons in harness racing.
|
The Hundred Pound Window[76]
|
1944
|
Comedy
|
Clerk (Richard Attenborough) at a big-wager window ends up owing a big debt.
|
Thoroughbreds[77][78][79]
|
1944
|
Drama
|
An ex-Cavalry sergeant trains his old mount to win a steeplechase race.
|
She Went to the Races[80][81]
|
1945
|
Comedy
|
Ava Gardner in a rom-com about scientists betting on horse races.
|
Salty O'Rourke[82][83]
|
1945
|
Drama
|
A crooked jockey tries to double-cross a racetrack gambler (Alan Ladd).
|
The Bride Wore Boots[84]
|
1946
|
Comedy
|
Barbara Stanwyck enters her horse Albert in a Virginia steeplechase race.
|
That's My Man[85][86][87]
|
1947
|
Drama
|
Everything's riding on Don Ameche's colt Gallant Man, including his marriage.
|
My Brother Talks to Horses[88]
|
1947
|
Comedy
|
Lewie Penrose's brother (Peter Lawford) has everything riding on the Preakness.
|
The Homestretch[89][90]
|
1947
|
Drama
|
Maureen O'Hara's horse ends up entered in a big race against her husband's.
|
Green Grass of Wyoming[91][92]: 288
|
1948
|
Drama
|
The past owners of Flicka and Thunderhead take their trotter Crown Jewel to a race in Ohio.
|
Heart of Virginia[93]
|
1948
|
Drama
|
The jockey of Virginia's Pride quits after accidentally causing a death on the track.
|
The Return of October[94]
|
1948
|
Comedy
|
Horse trainer Uncle Willie is reincarnated as a Derby horse called October.
|
Racing Luck[95]
|
1948
|
Drama
|
Two women enter horses in a race, wagering that whoever wins will own both.
|
The Winner's Circle[96][97][98]
|
1948
|
Drama
|
A young girl is heartbroken when she's forced to sell her colt, Teacher's Pet.
|
The Great Dan Patch[99]
|
1949
|
Biographical
|
Based on true story of the famous turn-of-the-century trotter.
|
The Story of Seabiscuit[100][101][102][103][104]
|
1949
|
Biographical
|
A partly fictionalized account of Seabiscuit's success, starring Shirley Temple.
|
The Rocking Horse Winner[105]
|
1949
|
Comedy
|
British tale about a boy with a knack for picking racetrack winners.
|
County Fair.[106][107]
|
1950
|
Drama
|
Rory Calhoun thwarts crooks trying to fix a race.
|
Riding High"[108]
|
1950
|
Musical
|
Bing Crosby in a racetrack tale directed by Frank Capra.
|
Under My Skin
|
1950
|
Drama
|
A jockey (John Garfield) races in Europe, is pursued by a mobster.
|
Blue Grass of Kentucky[109]
|
1950
|
Drama
|
A horse called Blue Grass wins the Derby, but his bloodline causes a controversy.
|
The Galloping Major[110]
|
1951
|
Comedy
|
Exploits of gamblers at an England race course.
|
Crazy Over Horses[111]
|
1951
|
Comedy
|
The Bowery Boys run their filly My Girl against the mob's horse Tarzana.
|
Pride of Maryland[112][113][114]
|
1951
|
Drama
|
After being barred, trainer-rider Frankie Longworth redeems himself just in time.
|
Francis Goes to the Races[115][116]
|
1951
|
Comedy
|
Donald O'Connor and his talking mule get mixed up in a crooked horse race.
|
Two-Dollar Bettor[117]
|
1951
|
Drama
|
A novice gets in way over his head wagering on races.
|
Boots Malone[118][119]
|
1952
|
Drama
|
A sports agent (William Holden) takes a jockey under his wing.
|
Derby Day[120]
|
1952
|
Romance
|
A day at Epsom Downs for the running of the Darby.
|
A Girl in Every Port[121][122]
|
1952
|
Comedy
|
Two sailors (Groucho Marx and William Bendix) are conned into buying a lame race-horse.
|
Born to the Saddle[123]
|
1953
|
Western
|
Outlaws try to keep Blue Chip from winning a big quarterhorse race.
|
Fast Company[10][124]
|
1953
|
Romance
|
Gay Fleet's owner (Polly Bergen) falls for a fellow who fixes horse races.
|
Money from Home[118]
|
1953
|
Comedy
|
Martin and Lewis end up in a Maryland horse race.
|
Pride of the Blue Grass[125]
|
1954
|
Drama
|
Gypsy Prince and attractive owner interest a trainer (Lloyd Bridges).
|
The Fighting Chance[126][127][128]
|
1955
|
Drama
|
A scheming woman (Julie London) causes friction between a trainer and jockey.
|
The Phantom Horse
|
1955
|
Drama
|
Japanese movie loosely based on Tokino Minoru's racing career
|
Glory[129]
|
1956
|
Drama
|
Margaret O'Brien wants to run her filly in the Kentucky Derby.
|
Just My Luck[130]
|
1957
|
Comedy
|
Fable of a British bloke whose one-pound wager at the track could win him sixteen thousand.
|
April Love[131]
|
1957
|
Musical
|
In Kentucky, a wayward youth (Pat Boone) trains a sulky racehorse.
|
Bite the Bullet[132]
|
1975
|
Western
|
Cowboys compete in a 700-mile race. Co-starring Gene Hackman and James Coburn.
|
International Velvet[133]
|
1978
|
Drama
|
Tatum O'Neal in an updated version of the 1944 classic.
|
Casey's Shadow.[134][135][136]
|
1978
|
Drama
|
An aging New Mexico trainer (Walter Matthau) has a lot riding on a two-year-old colt.
|
Run for the Roses[137]
|
1978
|
Drama
|
Vera Miles as the owner of a long-shot Derby contender.
|
The Black Stallion[138]
|
1979
|
Family drama
|
A boy and a horse are rescued from a desert isle, then become masked rider and "mystery horse" in a race.
|
On the Right Track
|
1981
|
Comedy
|
A homeless child (Gary Coleman) has an uncanny knack for choosing winners.
|
Champions
|
1983
|
Biographical
|
Based on the story of the winners of the 1981 Grand National—Aldaniti, who came back from chronic leg injuries, and jockey Bob Champion, a testicular cancer survivor. Starring John Hurt.
|
Phar Lap
|
1983
|
Drama
|
Australian film based on a true story of doomed Depression-era racehorse.
|
The Black Stallion Returns
|
1983
|
Family
|
In sequel to 1979 story, a boy travels to Morocco to try to get his horse back.
|
Sylvester
|
1985
|
Family
|
Wild horse is turned into competitive jumper by young woman (Melissa Gilbert).
|
Hot to Trot
|
1988
|
Comedy
|
Bobcat Goldthwait and a talking horse.
|
Let It Ride
|
1989
|
Comedy
|
A down-and-out racetrack gambler (Richard Dreyfuss) has the wildest day of his life.
|
Eden Valley
|
1994
|
Drama
|
Story of a British harness-racing community.
|
Shergar
|
1999
|
Biographical
|
True story of a champion Irish racehorse that mysteriously disappears.
|
Ready to Run
|
2000
|
Drama
|
Disney Channel family film on a 14-year-old girl who is an aspiring jockey.
|
On the Nose
|
2001
|
Comedy
|
Dan Aykroyd wants a lucky charm that helps gambler Robbie Coltrane pick winners.
|
Seabiscuit
|
2003
|
Biographical
|
Based on a true story, with Jeff Bridges as the great horse's owner and Tobey Maguire as his jockey. Nominated for 7 Academy Awards.
|
Hidalgo
|
2004
|
Drama
|
Based on true story of a 19th-century Arabian distance race, starring Viggo Mortensen.
|
The Derby Stallion
|
2005
|
Drama
|
A 15 year old convinces is father to allow him to train for the Derby Cup.
|
Dreamer
|
2005
|
Drama
|
Family film with Kurt Russell and Dakota Fanning owning an injured thoroughbred.
|
Racing Stripes
|
2005
|
Family
|
A zebra tries to win a race against horses in Kentucky.
|
Ruffian
|
2007
|
Drama
|
Made for TV; based on a true story of tragic ending of undefeated filly.
|
Race
|
2008
|
Thriller
|
Bollywood story.
|
Secretariat
|
2010
|
Biographical
|
Based on a true story, with Diane Lane as the Triple Crown winner's owner.
|
Shannon's Rainbow
|
2011
|
Drama
|
A teen girl finds a race horse, plus a mother she never knew.
|
Charismatic
|
2011
|
Documentary
|
Made for TV in ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Charismatic and jockey Chris Antley in 1999 Triple Crown races.
|
The Cup
|
2011
|
Drama
|
Australian film about Damien Oliver, the jockey who rode Media Puzzle to victory in the 2002 Melbourne Cup.
|
50 to 1
|
2014
|
Drama
|
Based on the story of Mine That Bird, the 50-1 shot that won the 2009 Kentucky Derby.
|
Lean On Pete
|
2017
|
Drama
|
A 15-year-old boy befriends an aging racehorse named Lean On Pete. When he finds out that he can no longer race is going to be sent to slaughter they search for a new home.
|
Ride Like a Girl
|
2019
|
Drama
|
Australian film about Michelle Payne, the jockey who rode Prince of Penzance to victory in the 2015 Melbourne Cup.
|
Dream Horse
|
2021
|
Comedy Drama
|
Welsh film about Dream Alliance, who won the Welsh Grand National in 2009.
|
Jockey
|
2021
|
Drama
|
American film about an aging jockey named Jackson Silva whose health begins to deteriorate after decades of riding.
|