United States

A funny and touching story for the whole family about an irascible, impoverished horse trainer, Lloyd Bourdelle (Walter Matthau) and his three sons. When the eldest son is sent off to buy a quarter horse, he brings back instead an old, pregnant mare explaining that she has superb bloodlines. The mare gives birth to a colt which grows into a strong, promising race horse and Bourdelle sees an opportunity to show up his old rivals and make some money in the process. Just before Bourdelle is about to enter the horse in a $1 million race, however, its front leg is seriously injured. But in spite of the vet's warnings and his son's violent objections, Bourdelle enters the horse anyway. A bittersweet, poignant conclusion is sure to make this a family favorite.