There are few sports that capture the imagination as much as horse racing, with the stories on track typically able to write their own Hollywood scripts. Action on track takes place daily throughout the year, with the next major event, according to TwinSpires, being the Belmont Stakes. This is the last race of the Triple Crown, which will happen in the second weekend of June.
Therefore, filmmakers have typically gained huge interest when it comes to un-earthing stories that have made history on the track in the form of documentaries and shows.
Throughout history, we have seen some of the most famous stories given the spotlight that they deserve, which has enabled fans to gain a better understand surrounding the success that has been achieved. But, what are some of the best shows and documentaries to watch about horse racing?
Champions: Full Gallop
One of the most exciting new documentaries focused on horse racing will be released over the summer, with ITV’s Champions: Full Gallop offering a Drive To Survive-esque look into the work that goes on behind the scenes at some of the top yards throughout the season.
The season will focus on the 2023-24 Jumps season, with exclusive interviews with leading trainers such as Nicky Henderson, Dan Skelton, and Paul Nicholls. It will be an exciting overview of the season, focusing heavily on the biggest events on the jumps calendar, such as the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National.
On-board clips from races will be used within the series, enabling viewers to get up close and personal with some of the season-defining moments. As well as the highs of claiming victories in some of the biggest races, Full Gallop will also showcase the low moments that jockeys will need to overcome, with the first teaser showcasing Nico De Boinville’s struggles throughout the season aboard horses such as Constitution Hill and Shishkin. It will be an unmissable series for racing fans of all ages.
Being AP
Sticking with jumps racing, there are few more famous jockeys to have rode a winner than the legendary AP McCoy. Being AP is a documentary series released by the BBC that follows McCoy throughout his final season in the saddle. The jockey sets himself with the target of winning 300 winners in his final season competing at the highest level, as fans celebrate getting closer to one of the best jockeys to have competed across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
McCoy talks at length throughout the series surrounding his decision to step away from the sport, despite still dominating at the highest level. The 2014-15 season would be McCoy’s final campaign in the sport, and he would make history throughout the campaign.
He would become the fastest jockey to reach 100 winners in a season, before he would hit 200 winners later in the season. McCoy’s last meeting would be staged at Sandown in 2015, but he came up short in landing a famous big race win in the Bet365 Gold Cup.
Dettori
There are few larger than life characters within the sport of horse racing that have transcended the sport as much as Frankie Dettori. Dettori focuses on the man himself, and follows his career throughout its early beginnings in Italy, before making his breakthrough at the highest level in the United Kingdom.
It offers a fascinating insight behind the legendary jockey, highlighting the issues that he has needed to overcome throughout his life, and the pressure that was put on him from a young age by his father. Dettori also speaks at length about his ban from the sport, and near-death experience following a helicopter crash.
Racing fans will also be able to relive some of his most famous victories on track, including his seven race haul at Ascot, and his legendary victories aboard Enable in France and the UK. It is among the most in-depth racing documentaries available, and well worth a watch for all lovers of the sport.
Daryl Jacob: Being A Jockey
One of the most truthful insights into life at the highest level of horse racing can be revealed in Daryl Jacob: Being A Jockey. The documentary series follows the jockey throughout a season on track, and showcases his determination to ride winners throughout the season by travelling over 13 hours to earn £187 for one ride.
Jacob is un-rocked in terms of his optimism throughout the series, but it’s devastating for viewers to see how unnerved he becomes following personal heartbreaks both on and off track. Compared to other documentaries about jockeys, this one is truthful and honest surrounding how low the lowest moments can become for riders.
Jacob was among the most popular riders throughout his career in the saddle, winning at the Cheltenham Festival on three occasions. However, his most famous victory would come aboard Neptune Collonges in the 2012 Grand National.
