The Derby Stallion (2005)

An alcoholic former horse-trainer perceives in a fifteen-year-old boy a unique gift of horsemanship and makes it possible for the boy to conceive his dream and pursue it.

Director:

Craig Clyde

Writer:

Kimberly Gough

Stars:

Bill Cobbs, Zac Efron, William R. Moses

Cast

Credited cast:
Bill Cobbs	...	Houston Jones
Zac Efron	...	Patrick McCardle
William R. Moses	...	Jim McCardle
Tonja Walker	...	Linda McCardle
Michael Nardelli	...	Randy Adams
Crystal Hunt	...	Jill Overton
Colton James	...	Donald
Rob Pinkston	...	Chuck Overton
Billy Preston	...	Will Gentry
Isabella Davidson	...	Tammy McCardle
Abrianna Davidson	...	Annie McCardle
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sarah Blackman	...	Julie Gillette
Preston Brant	...	Young Houston Jones
K.C. Clyde	...	Cooper Willams
Edward J. Davidson	...	County Worker

Storyline

Fifteen-year-old Patrick doesn't know what he wants to do with his life, and the pressure put on him by his dad isn't helping. But then he meets a misunderstood horse trainer who convinces him to train for the Derby Cup. Can Patrick convince his parents to let him compete, beat out out the rich town bully -- and find the champion that lies within?

---

Plot Keywords:

horse trainer | dream | bully | teen | self discovery | 

---

Taglines:

A Boy. A Horse. Champions.

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 July 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alma de Campeão

Filming Locations:

Virginia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$750,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

TWD Enterprises, Scorpio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

When the kids cannot get the vehicle started, the father realises that the spark plug wires have been pulled out. However, when the vehicle starts, it is a diesel engine running, which does not have spark plugs.

---

Connections

References Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978)

User Reviews

Bad movie

I am usually tolerant of horse movies. I don't expect the actors to be the best riders or horse handlers. I expect mistakes to be made and things to be wrong. I try to sit back and just enjoy the story. This is what I expected to do recently when I picked up a new horse movie called The Derby Stallion.

Well it was simply awful. The lead could not ride at all. I feel they could have found an actor with riding skills. Even worse was when they switched to the legs of a dark bay horse jumping when the lead horse was a bright chestnut. They should have taken the time to do the research and find the right people.

Overall I was not impressed with the way this movie was shot and put together. Some of the close-ups seemed too close and out of focus and actually made me dizzy. I feel a lot more could have been done to make this movie better starting with an actor who had real life horse experience.