Dream Horse 2021

Empty nesters Jan and Brian Vokes lead a rather uneventful and mundane existence in Wales. Jan works as a supermarket cashier while also caring for her elderly parents, while Brian spends his days at home.

One day, while working her second job at the pub, Jan overhears Howard Davies sharing tales about a racehorse he once owned that achieved great success. Intrigued by his stories, she stumbles upon a breeders’ guidebook through an advertisement in Horse and Hound, prompting her to do her homework. Excitedly, she shares her ambitious idea of breeding a racehorse with Brian, who thinks she’s lost her mind.

Determined to pursue her dream, they purchase Rewbell, a once-glorious racehorse, for £300, despite the fact that she has now been sold to them as a brood mare. In the pub, Jan seeks Howard’s assistance in selecting a suitable stud, but he is less than encouraging. Nonetheless, Jan decides to establish a syndicate involving 20 locals each contributing £10 a week.

After distributing flyers throughout the town, Jan’s initial pitch meeting appears to be a total disaster. However, against all odds, they manage to successfully form their 20-member syndicate. While awaiting insemination at the farm, Jan tells Brian how crucial this project is for her motivation.

Tragically, Rewbell doesn’t survive the birthing process, yet she gives birth to a healthy foal. The syndicate votes to name the colt Dream Alliance. Once Howard believes he’s ready, they enlist Philip Hobbs to train him, who eventually agrees to a trial period. With sheer determination, Dream begins to ascend the racing ranks.

Victory comes when he clinches the King Edward’s Challenge, but an interested buyer offers to purchase Dream, a proposal that Jan, Brian, and Howard refuse. This leads to some dissatisfaction among the other syndicate members, who are frustrated with Jan’s defiance. Inspired by Dream’s success, Howard quits his mundane accounting job to start a new firm focused on serving everyday people, stating that he wanted to surpass his father, who abandoned his jockey aspirations to work in a factory.

However, disaster strikes when Dream sustains a tendon injury. Some syndicate members propose putting him down focusing on financial losses, but Jan passionately counters that Dream has brought them hope and pride. After extensive surgery and a recovery period involving stem cell treatment, Hobbs believes that Dream’s tendon is now not only stronger but that he can compete in the upcoming Welsh Grand National.

Despite Jan’s worries for Dream’s safety, the syndicate ultimately decides to move forward with the race. In an exhilarating turn of events, he triumphs in the race and continues to race for another decade before retirement. By 2019, the Vokes have initiated a new syndicate, embarking on their next venture together.