Dark Horse: The inspiring story of race horse Dream Alliance and his unconventional owners has been made into a film which premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.
Dark Horse: The inspiring story of race horse Dream Alliance and his unconventional owners has been made into a film which premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.
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Dream Alliance was bred and raised on an allotment in a run-down Welsh mining community by Brian Vokes (pictured) and his wife Jan. "We bred a horse on a slag heap," explains Brian.
Dream Alliance was bred and raised on an allotment in a run-down Welsh mining community by Brian Vokes (pictured) and his wife Jan. "We bred a horse on a slag heap," explains Brian.
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The community of the Cefn Fforest village in the Welsh Valleys formed a syndicate where each member paid $15 a week to train and race Dream Alliance.
The community of the Cefn Fforest village in the Welsh Valleys formed a syndicate where each member paid $15 a week to train and race Dream Alliance.
Picturehouse Entertainment
Dream Alliance's racing career started in dazzling style. "Dream surprised everyone by saying 'ooh this is fun' and finishing fourth of 17 in his first race," says co-owner Howard Davies.
Dream Alliance's racing career started in dazzling style. "Dream surprised everyone by saying 'ooh this is fun' and finishing fourth of 17 in his first race," says co-owner Howard Davies.
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Dream Alliance's greatest triumph came in the 2009 Welsh National at Chepstow. It was a notable win as less than two years earlier Dream had pioneering stem-cell treatment to mend a snapped tendon in his leg.
Dream Alliance's greatest triumph came in the 2009 Welsh National at Chepstow. It was a notable win as less than two years earlier Dream had pioneering stem-cell treatment to mend a snapped tendon in his leg.
Julian Finney/Getty Images
Dream retired in 2012 with each member of the syndicate receiving $2,000. "Not a life changing amount," says Angela Davies. "But a life changing experience," smiles husband Howard.
Dream retired in 2012 with each member of the syndicate receiving $2,000. "Not a life changing amount," says Angela Davies. "But a life changing experience," smiles husband Howard.
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Jan Vokes (left) says her adventure with Dream Alliance "kept me sane." She has now bred another horse to continue the dream begun by the Welsh alliance of villagers.
Jan Vokes (left) says her adventure with Dream Alliance "kept me sane." She has now bred another horse to continue the dream begun by the Welsh alliance of villagers.
Picturehouse Entertainment