Dream Horse: The True Rags-to-Riches Story of Dream Alliance
by Kathryn Williams | Wales Online | March 15, 2019
The champion racehorse horse Dream Alliance
We reported earlier that Damian would be staring in the upcoming film Dream Horse here. If you don’t know the story of South Wales champion racehorse Dream Alliance already, you should.
It’s an inspiring tale and now it’s being given the big screen treatment starring Homeland and Billions-star, Damian Lewis, and Hereditary and Muriel’s Wedding actress, Toni Collette.
Named Dream Horse, the film will shoot on location in Wales this spring and will also be directed by Welsh filmmaker Euros Lyn, famed for TV drama gold like Broadchurch, Happy Valley and Kiri.
Dream Horse will share the story of Dream Alliance who was bred and owned by a group of friends from a Cefn Fforest workingmen’s club.
From raising the steed on a slag heap in the Caerphilly borough to winning the Welsh Grand National – and slicing a tendon and undergoing stem cell therapy in between – it focuses on the true rags-to-riches story of Dream Alliance, who owners include Jan Vokes, her husband Brian and tax advisor Howard Davies.
Collette is due to play Jan Vokes, who along with her fellow syndicate members paid in £10 per week for the horse’s training, and Lewis will play Howard Davies.
Jan and Brian Vokes on the allotment near their home
Jockey Tom O’Brien and Dream Alliance after their Coral Welsh Grand National victory
Euros Lyn said of the announcement: “I grew up in the Welsh valleys where everyone knows this story – it’s a local legend.
“The moment I read Neil’s brilliant script, I knew I had to direct this funny and moving film. Casting Toni Collette as Jan Vokes, our extraordinary heroine, and Damian Lewis as Howard Davies, her intriguingly conflicted accomplice, is my own dream come true.”
The film has been written by Neil McKay – The Moorside, Mo, Appropriate Adult – and will also be backed by Fflim Cymru, who are backing the film and operating their Foot in the Door programme. This gives people over the age of 18 and not currently in employment, education or training to kick-start a career in the creative industries and beyond. Find out more on that here.
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