Although there aren’t many horse racing movies, at least not as much as superhero movies that’s for sure, some that did sneak through to the big screen managed to get all the attention.

There is something about horse racing movies that evokes many emotions. Maybe it is the drama, the thrill, the adrenaline rush, or the incredible true stories that need to be remembered.

Still, in order to deliver the message of the movie you need an iconic actor that can bring out all the emotions of horse racing. We are talking about the actors who bring jockeys, trainers, and racing legends to life.

There are a handful of horse racing movies with incredible performances from the actors, which is why we decided to give them the attention they deserve.

So, if you haven’t watched these movies yet, maybe now is the time just to get warmed up before the Kentucky Derby.

Tobey Maguire as Red Pollard in Seabiscuit

First, we have Tobey Maguire, but not for the role of Spiderman, although that is most likely his most popular role. Tobey Maguire was also responsible for bringing another legend to life – Seabiscuit.

This is a true story movie where Tobey Maguire plays the jockey Red Pollard, and it is nothing short of compelling.

We are talking about a jockey with a troubled past and a person who is a down-on-his-luck rider. But somehow manages to form a deep bond with Seabiscuit, which was an underdog horse that surprised everyone.

Maguire definitely managed to capture the grit and vulnerability of Pollard, which is kind of the point of the movie. After all, the directors wanted to create a scene where every viewer cheers for both the jockey and the horse.

Diane Lane as Penny Chenery in Secretariat

I think we can all agree that the Secretariat is one of the greatest stories in horse racing, and fortunately, we got that story on the big screen. 

Secretariat is a big name in the world of horse racing. Let me put it this way, if Secretariat was alive today, it would definitely be the top pick horse at TwinSpires.com for any race he was involved.

Although the movie Secretariat (2010) focused mainly on the greatest horse that ever lived, we still had Diane Lane’s performance as Penny Chenery who managed to steal the show.

Remember, we are talking about a female jockey who defied the odds in the male-dominated world of horse racing, and that’s quite hard to do, even as an actor. Fortunately, Lane’s natural charisma and strength perfectly captured the story of Penny.

This was a tough role for many reasons. First of all, the horse might be in the focus, but all of this wouldn’t be possible without someone like Penny (Lane) pushing the horse to its limits. It required determination, a lot of emotions, and that feministic energy that proved that the right owner could be just as important as the horse itself.

We will always remember the Secretariat, the fastest horse that ever lived that still has unbeaten records, but it is great to see movies where we see the other side of the story. The story of the jockey and, in this case, a female jockey played by Diane Lane.

Mickey Rooney as Jockey Mi Taylor in National Velvet

You can’t talk about iconic horse racing movies without mentioning National Velvet (1944). A young Mickey Rooney played Mi Taylor; a former jockey turned mentor to Velvet Brown (played by Elizabeth Taylor). 

Rooney’s performance was filled with charm and heart, helping Velvet navigate the competitive racing world. The film remains a classic, and Rooney’s role as the wise but troubled ex-rider was one of his most memorable performances.

John Malkovich as Lucien Laurin in Secretariat

John Malkovich is known for playing eccentric characters, and his portrayal of Lucien Laurin, Secretariat’s flamboyant trainer, was no exception. With his colorful wardrobe and sharp wit, Malkovich added personality to Secretariat. 

He balanced humor with intensity, making Laurin a crucial figure in the film. After all, training a champion racehorse requires a bit of genius—and maybe just a touch of madness.

Jeff Bridges as Charles Howard in Seabiscuit

While Maguire’s role as Red Pollard was central to Seabiscuit, Jeff Bridges delivered an equally strong performance as Charles Howard, the horse’s owner. Bridges brought warmth and depth to the character, portraying a businessman who took a chance on an unlikely champion. 

His chemistry with both Maguire and Chris Cooper (who played trainer Tom Smith) made for some of the most engaging moments in the film. Howard’s belief in Seabiscuit reflected the film’s message—sometimes, the long shots are worth betting on.

Sam Shepard as Frank Whiteley in Ruffian

The 2007 TV movie Ruffian told the heartbreaking true story of one of the greatest fillies in horse racing history. Sam Shepard played Frank Whiteley, Ruffian’s devoted trainer, with quiet strength and wisdom. 

His performance showed the deep emotional connection between trainers and their horses, making the film even more impactful. The story of Ruffian is a tough one, but Shepard’s portrayal added an extra layer of humanity.

These are some of the best horse racing movies, and the actors are mainly responsible for giving us an accurate representation of the story. So, if you still haven’t watched these movies, we suggest that you do that right now, you won’t regret it.