If you are a horseracing fan and enjoy a touch of nostalgia you may be interested to know that the Kings Cinema, Newmarket is showing “The Rainbow Jacket” on Friday 12th September at 5pm.

Renowned horseracing historian, Tim Cox, tells us more about the film and its stars.

Released in 1954, this British made film features a variety of famed racecourses, including our very own Newmarket racecourse. By filming on location, ‘The Rainbow Jacket’ captures the unique atmosphere of this racing town, including the early morning gallops, the buzz of the paddock, and the communal feel of a sport that blends pageantry with grit.

The inclusion of real locations and glimpses of actual race meetings add authenticity and historical value. For audiences in the 1950s, this was a chance to see behind the scenes of a world most only read about in newspapers.

“Townsfolk in large numbers became film stars during this time, acting as ‘extras’ for scenes at the racecourse”. (Newmarket Journal 24 November 1954)  The Newmarket sequence was shot in October 1953.

An insight into the Actors

Fella Edmonds (also known as Edwin (Eddie) Edmonds), who played the boy-jockey, had some success as a child-actor, but did not land any more lead roles, nor did he go on to be an adult actor.  He grew to be 6ft 1in tall.  He acquired his life-long nickname when his brother leaned over his cot and said ‘What a nice little fella’.

Bill Owen wears the colours of his father-in-law Tom Stevenson, the Glasgow racehorse owner (Evening Despatch 14 May 1954).  Yellow, black sash, white cap (Weatherby’s 1954 Racing Calendar).

“Six stable-boys from Epsom were engaged.  The Director explained the precise order in which they were to finish.  But the ‘rigging’ came unstuck.  In the excitement of racing, the apprentices jockeyed for position and fought it out to the bitter end.  They finished in the wrong order entirely”.  (Londonderry Sentinel 17 October 1953)

The Horses involved in the Film

For the making of the film, thirty horses were bought by Ealing Studios.  They were sold afterwards.  The chestnut horse that finished second in the filmed St Leger was bought by the screen writer for £40.  Clarke registered his colours as ‘Orange, green-hooped sleeves, orange and green checked cap’.  They featured in the film and were paid for by the studio wardrobe.  (The Tatler 29 October 1958) The horse was named Zator.

The Story behind Zator, post ‘The Rainbow Jacket’

In 1953 Zator ran four times unplaced as a two-year-old in the colours of Mr C. D. Birks.  In 1954 Zator had been bought by T. E. B. Clarke and ran ten times winning twice and finishing third once.   His first win was in the Apprentices’ Handicap Plate (1m4f) at Folkestone on 9^th August 1954.  He was ridden by Duncan Keith and trained by George Warren.  He then transferred stables to S. Hanley and won his next race, again at Folkestone on 3 September, the Sandling Handicap Plate (1m7f100y) ridden by Geoff Lewis.  The stable-switch was enforced because Warren was warned-off.  A minute trace of caffeine had been found in a horse trained by Warren and owned by P B ‘Teasy-Weasy’ Raymond.

Zator ran eighteen times on the Flat from 1953 to 1955 winning just the two races at Folkestone.  Zator switched to hurdles in the 1954-55 jumps season.  He continued to run in the colours of Clarke.  After twelve races without winning he was sold to Mrs Reiter, who almost immediately won two races.  Thus ended the link between Zator and The Rainbow Jacket.

So, if you’re looking to saddle up with something different from the golden age of British cinema, be sure to book your tickets here  (part of Abbeygate Cinema Made in East Anglia Festival).