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Dream Horse: Movie about champion racehorse gets five Bafta Cymru nominations

News | Richard Gurner | Published: 17:23, Wednesday September 7th, 2022.
Last updated: 17:23, Wednesday September 7th, 2022

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A movie based on the real-life story of a racehorse from a Cefn Fforest allotment who won the 2009 Welsh Grand National has been nominated for five Bafta Cymru awards.

Dream Horse has been nominated in the Best Actor; Feature Television/Film; Make Up and Hair; Photography and Lighting: Fiction; and Sound categories.

The film, based on the real life story of racehorse Dream Alliance, stars Australian actress Toni Collette as Jan Vokes – a barmaid at a workingmen’s club who brings together a group of people to breed the champion horse – and Homeland actor Damian Lewis as accountant Howard Davies.

After Jan met Howard in the Top Club in Cefn Fforest, the dream of forming a syndicate to raise the horse began.

 Game of Thrones and Stella actor Owen Teale has been nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal of Jan’s husband Brian.

Dream Horse was released last year after being delayed by more than a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Angela and Howard Davies and Jan and Brian Vokes at the premiere of Dream Horse
Angela and Howard Davies and Jan and Brian Vokes at the premiere of Dream Horse

Dream Alliance was born in 2001, and defied all odds to win the Welsh Grand National eight years later.

Dream Horse: Movie about champion racehorse finally hits cinemas

Jan spoke to Caerphilly Observer at the time of the film’s release last year describing the moment the horse won as a “surreal moment”.

She said: “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I never used to like to watch him run – I was more afraid he’d come last.

Janet Vokes with husband Brian and Dream Alliance
Janet Vokes with husband Brian and Dream Alliance

“When he ran his first race, I was more afraid that he would come last or wouldn’t even start the race. So I would never watch him race. “

Dream Alliance is now enjoying his retirement in Somerset.


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Toni Collette as Jan Vokes in Dream Horse

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