Caerphilly Observer
Member Sign in Manage Membership
Become a Member - no ads
Menu
  • News
    • Senedd
    • Business
    • Newport
    • Opinion
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership & Subscriptions
  • Notices
  • Obituaries
  • About
    • Advertise
  • Sponsored Content
Menu

Dream Horse: Trailer released for film based on champion racehorse

News | Rhys Williams | Published: 09:28, Thursday February 20th, 2020.
Last updated: 09:28, Thursday February 20th, 2020

A movie about a racehorse from a Cefn Fforest allotment who won the 2009 Welsh Grand National will hit cinemas on April 17.

The trailer for Dream Horse, which is based on the real life story of racehorse Dream Alliance, was released on Wednesday (February 19).

Australian actress Toni Collette plays Jan Vokes – a barmaid at a working men’s club who brings together a group of people to breed the champion horse.

Meanwhile, Homeland actor Damian Lewis will take on the role of accountant Howard Davies.

The show also stars Gavin and Stacey‘s Joanna Page, as well as Game of Thrones and Stella actor Owen Teale.

Dream Horse is written by Neil McKay and directed by Bafta-winner Euros Lyn.

The film was inspired by Louise Osmond’s documentary Dark Horse, which focuses on the same story.

The artwork for Dream Horse
The artwork for Dream Horse

The film is being released in the UK by Warner Bros, which described the film as “a classic story of triumph against adversity, and a tale of how a woman strives to make her dream a reality in a place where hope is thin on the ground”.

Jan Vokes with husband Brian and Dream Alliance
Jan Vokes with husband Brian and Dream Alliance

Director Lyn described the film as a “true story of how against all the odds, an ordinary woman inspires her community to go on the ride of a lifetime and rediscover a sense of hope”.

The film is being funded by Film4, Ingenious Media and Ffilm Cymru, and has been supported by the Welsh Government.

Residents battling to save Cefn Fforest Miners’ Institute
Warner Bros
Warner Bros

Latest News

  • Jill Baird's art exhibition is going on display at Caerphilly Miners Centre
    Sculptor’s exhibition exploring the human cost of war to go on displayWednesday, February 4, 2026
  • Gwent Police officers carrying out a drug raid in Cefn Fforest
    Man, 63, arrested and drugs seized after police raidWednesday, February 4, 2026
  • Caerphilly Business Club chair Matthew Tucker and Caerphilly MP Chris Evans speaking at the event
    Caerphilly Business Club members quiz MP on pressures facing local firmsWednesday, February 4, 2026
  • Crown Cottage, Bedwas
    Dental surgery to go private affecting around 5,000 patientsWednesday, February 4, 2026
  • alcohol stock image
    Minimum alcohol pricing to rise by 15p as Senedd backs plansWednesday, February 4, 2026
  • polling station sign
    Meet the candidates for the Van ward by-electionTuesday, February 3, 2026

Find out how the communities of Caerphilly County Borough get their names

Caerphilly

Legal & Public Notices

  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesFriday, January 23, 2026
  • Notice of application for a variation of a premises licence: Morgan Jones Bowling ClubThursday, January 15, 2026
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, January 8, 2026
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, December 11, 2025
© 2009-2026 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community Watford Road Caerphilly, CF83 1BJ. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.