Champions of the track that made the big screen. We have Australia's Phar Lap, the story of the brilliant Secretariat and the famous story of the courageous Sea Biscuit. We are travelling way back in time to the first movie inspired by Phar Lap. A 1936 story called Stormalong, directed by Ken Hall, it wasnt until 1983,where we actually see a movie made specificly about the Phar Lap legend ,called Phar Lap, The Heart of a Nation.
Story of Stormalong
Helen Twelvetrees was paid a record 1000 dollars a week, to play the lead female role . The movie was cut on its UK release, due to animal cruelty that occurred, during the stable fire scene and graphic ending. There is a story from the ending scene of Stormalong, told by horseman Lance Skuthorpe who was paid two quid a scene, he said " I tied a long strand of wire to one of the horse's legs, then got out of camera range. As Stormalong got near the winning post . I was to tug on the wire and make the horse stumble. I pulled the wire all right but forgot to let go. I shot over the horse's head and crashed to the ground."'
I am sure, why it stays in my memory, is the graphic ending, where Stormalong is shot and killed by the evil assassins who want to prevent him from winning. Stormalong stumbles and falls but still manages to cross the line first. The horse dies and jockey Tommy Dawson lies badly injured. The ending is similar to a Frank Capra movie of 1934 Broadway Bill.
Phar Lap rare images
1878 film of a horse in motion
Story of Sea Biscuit
Sea Biscuit was a small horse with a tendency to like his sleep and food, becoming the butt of alot of stable jokes. He had an unimpressive start to his career due to injury and stable mismanagement but over the years of the depression in America he would become the most unlikely champion and symbol of hope, for Americans. In 1949, the first film adaptation of his life was made, starring Shirley Temple, The Story of Sea Biscuit. Then there was the 2003, Universal Studios movie, adapted from the Laura Hildenbrands, best selling, 2001 book. It was nominated for seven academy awards including best picture.
Sea Biscuit was foaled on May 23rd 1933 in Lexington Kentucky. He was named after his sire Hard Tack, who was a son of Man'O'War. Hard Tack was a type of cracker eaten by sailors. Hence the name Sea Biscuit. His original owner Sunny Fitzsimmons, thought him lazy and untalented so he concentrated on other horses in his stable. His first 17 starts were unimpressive never finishing in the money.
His second season was a little better, winning 4 of his 12 starts but this was enough to take the eye of business man Charles Howard who in August 1936 purchased the horse and sent him to trainer, Tom Smith. This was to be the birth of a peoples champion as Smith with his unusual training techniques, helped awaken ,the little horse's zest for racing. He won 3 of his first 8 starts for Smith. In November of that year in California's, Bay Bridge Hcp,after missing the start, he charged around the field to win by a huge five length margin.
This was the beginning of a legend and in 1937 he would become a favorite of California racing fans as he strung five wins in a row together, under big imposts, culminating in winning the Santa Anita Hcp, worth 125,000 dollars. In 1937 he won 11 of his 15 starts and became the highest stakes winner of the year but lost out to Triple Crown winner, War Admiral for horse of the year. This sparked the famous match race of 1938. In 1938, he would gain the title, horse of the year. Injuries were a continuing problem for him over the next couple of seasons and as a seven year old, he won the Santa Anita Hcp again before retiring to Ridgewood Ranch after 89 starts. It was his fighting qualities through injuries and his rise from obscurity, that endeared him to fans.
His second season was a little better, winning 4 of his 12 starts but this was enough to take the eye of business man Charles Howard who in August 1936 purchased the horse and sent him to trainer, Tom Smith. This was to be the birth of a peoples champion as Smith with his unusual training techniques, helped awaken ,the little horse's zest for racing. He won 3 of his first 8 starts for Smith. In November of that year in California's, Bay Bridge Hcp,after missing the start, he charged around the field to win by a huge five length margin.
This was the beginning of a legend and in 1937 he would become a favorite of California racing fans as he strung five wins in a row together, under big imposts, culminating in winning the Santa Anita Hcp, worth 125,000 dollars. In 1937 he won 11 of his 15 starts and became the highest stakes winner of the year but lost out to Triple Crown winner, War Admiral for horse of the year. This sparked the famous match race of 1938. In 1938, he would gain the title, horse of the year. Injuries were a continuing problem for him over the next couple of seasons and as a seven year old, he won the Santa Anita Hcp again before retiring to Ridgewood Ranch after 89 starts. It was his fighting qualities through injuries and his rise from obscurity, that endeared him to fans.
Sea Biscuit Tribute Footage
Story of Secretariat
In 2010 we saw the making of a movie on the life, of maybe the finest racehorse of all time, Secretariat. The story is based around his owner Penny Chenery who took over her fathers stables and became so impressed with Secretariat she exuded so much confidence in his abilities. That her bragging stirred up controversy among experts and racing enthusiasts but her confidence was vindicated, when Secretariat completed the Triple Crown but it wasnt just that he won . It was the way he did it. In the final leg the Belmont Stakes he won by an amazing 31 lengths. Some still say this is one of the most amazing victories in racing history.
If we look across the three stories of these champions of the past, who became legends. They are three, very different hero success stories. Secretariat being a success story through mastery ,brilliance and power. Where the Sea Biscuit story is more about courage and persistence and belief, leading to success. Turning a broken down horse into a cult hero with his bravery and fearlessness. In the dramatized Australian story, Stormalong, we find the story of the good hard working poor versus the evil syndicated mafia members . The horse being a martyr symbol in beating the enemy through determination and sacrifice. The victory coming after his death .
If we look across the three stories of these champions of the past, who became legends. They are three, very different hero success stories. Secretariat being a success story through mastery ,brilliance and power. Where the Sea Biscuit story is more about courage and persistence and belief, leading to success. Turning a broken down horse into a cult hero with his bravery and fearlessness. In the dramatized Australian story, Stormalong, we find the story of the good hard working poor versus the evil syndicated mafia members . The horse being a martyr symbol in beating the enemy through determination and sacrifice. The victory coming after his death .
Belmont Stakes 1973
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