Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Welsh premiere for champion’s story
STARS: Brian and Jan Vokes at the premiere
STAR TURN: Dream Alliance
A FILM depicting the true fairytale of champion race- horse Dream Alliance – born and bred on a Blackwood al- lotment – had its Welsh pre- miere on April 14. Crowds lined the red car-
pet at the Maxime Cinema in Blackwood to watch the documentary starring Cefn Fforest’s Jan and Brian Vokes. The story began when Mrs
Vokes – a barmaid who kept pigeons and whippets on her allotment in the area but had no experience of horse- racing – decided to invest in a stallion past his best for £300. She convinced nine people – including a plas- terer, a garage owner, a taxi driver and an accountant – to pay £10 a week as part of a syndicate for his upkeep. Contrary to expectations, Dream ran well at several races and despite a near-fa- tal fall won the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow as a 20-1 outsider in 2009. Dream Alliance, who is
now 13 and retired from competitive racing, por- trayed himself in the film. Speaking before the screen-
ing, Mrs Vokes said: “We’re a little bit nervous but really excited. It’s overwhelming that a hobby we enjoy has caught so many people’s hearts. It’s surreal.”
GUESTS: Lisa Rogers interviewing JPR Williams With another foal due in two
weeks, Mrs Vokes says she’s hoping the new arrival will be good enough to race and wants to master the Cheltenham Fes- tival. Her husband Mr Vokes said:
“We never dreamed we’d get this far.” The film is director Louise
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Osmond’s fifth theatrical documentary. After the premiere, key characters from the film were joined on stage by director Louise Osmond and producer Judith Dawson. The film is now on gen- eral release.
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3 News in brief
Debate planned CAERPHILLY candidates will attempt to win over con- stituents’ votes ahead of the General Election in a hus- tings on Wednesday, April 29. Caerphilly Trades Union Council is hosting the event and all of the candidates for the Caerphilly constituency have been invited. Tickets are free. Some will
be available on the door but to make sure you have a seat, call 07772 520 192 or email
caerphillytuc@outlook.com. The event will be at 7.30pm
at the Pensioners Hall, Park Lane, Caerphilly, CF83 1AA. Doors open at 7pm.
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