The story of Dream Alliance is an inspiring one to say the least, the white faced chestnut won the Coral Welsh Grand National in 2009 at Chepstow Racecourse for trainer Philip Hobbs and jockey Tom O’Brien. Dream Alliance was raised on an allotment in the Caerphilly area of the South Wales Valleys – it is a truly rags-to-riches story.
The inspiring tale is hitting the big screen starring Homeland and Billions-star, Damian Lewis, and Hereditary and Muriel's Wedding actress, Toni Collette. The film, named Dream Horse will shoot on location in Wales this Spring and will be directed by Welsh filmmaker Euros Lyn, who is famous for TV drama such as Broadchurch and Happy Valley.
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. One of the owners of the horse, Jan Vokes will be played by Collette and Lewis will play Howard Davies, who along with their fellow syndicate members paid £10 per week towards the horses training.
Lyn said of the film: "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 and will also be backed by Fflim Cymru.
