Many Clouds tribute by former work-rider up for award at US film festival

A film paying tribute to the late great Many Clouds has been nominated for an award at a film festival in New York next month.

'Many Clouds - The People's Horse' has been produced by Equine Productions, whose visual director Nathan Horrocks used to ride the 2015 Grand National winner each day at home.

It has been nominated in the international documentary category at the Equus Film Festival, which takes place on November 17-19, and features tributes from the Aintree hero's trainer Oliver Sherwood and his wife Tarnya, devoted groom Chris 'CJ' Jerdin, travelling head girl Lisa Kozak and jockey Leighton Aspell.

Owned by Trevor Hemmings, Many Clouds – described by Sherwood in the film as the horse of a lifetime – won the Hennessy Gold Cup in 2014 before his famous National triumph, but collapsed and died after beating Thistlecrack in a thrilling Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January.

Former jump jockey Horrocks, who has also been nominated for the international director award, said: "Many Clouds meant the world to me and thousands of others. I am so happy that an American audience will get to see how much he was loved but also the amazing athlete he was.

"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."

Founded in 2013, the Equus Film Festival has been created to "highlight and award the diverse and creative efforts of those who artistically pay homage to the horse".

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