AN EQUINE filmmakers based in Chepstow picked up two awards at the EQUUS Film Festival in New York this month.

Visual director of Equine Productions, Nathan Horrocks, was awarded Best International Director for ‘Many Clouds, The People’s Horse’, while ‘Mole Valley Farmers, Not Your Average Store’, won Best International Commercial at the festival, which took place at the Helen Mills Theater in New York between 17th and 19th November.

A tribute to former Grand National winner, ‘Many Clouds, The People’s Horse’ captures the journey of racing star, Many Clouds, during his acclaimed career; from the rise of his talent on the national hunt circuit, to his triumph at the 2015 Grand National. The story of Many Clouds was closely followed by Equine Productions, based on?Station Road, and the horse holds special memories for visual director Nathan Horrocks, the gelding’s former exercise rider and director of the film.

On winning Best International Director, Nathan said he was “completely overwhelmed”. During the weekend, he received high praise from fellow award winning filmmakers from across the globe.  

“I entered the film into the festival to share the Many Clouds story with an American audience, to show how much he was loved, but I never expected to win,” he said. “This is my tribute to him to say thank you for what he has done for me, both personally and professionally, he literally changed my life.”

The film was created using interviews and footage, originally commissioned by the Jockey Club in the lead up to the 2016 Grand National and the material was reused by kind permission of ITV Racing and Racing UK. 

This is the third year in a row Equine Productions has triumphed at EQUUS Film Festival.

“Thank you to the Equine Productions team who put up with my tears and emotion whilst piecing together the Many Clouds footage. A special thank you to trainer of Many Clouds, Oliver Sherwood, and owner Trevor Hemmings, for bringing him into my life. The investment and hard work that goes into these top horses allows us to appreciate and love these incredible animals,” Nathan said.

Many Clouds sadly collapsed and died following a triumphant final race at Cheltenham on 28th January this year.

Watch ‘Many Clouds, The People’s Horse’ at vimeo.com/236961288.