WHEN this newspaper first covered the remarkable rags-to-riches story of racehorse Dream Alliance we suggested it was a tale fit for the silver screen.

Last night that became a reality when Blackwood hosted the premiere of Dark Horse: The Incredible Story Of Dream Alliance.

A documentary that has already won a top prize at an international film festival, Dark Horse tells the story of how Dream Alliance, owned by a syndicate of local people, lived on an allotment in Blackwood and went on to win the Welsh Grand National as a 20-1 outsider in 2009.

It is a remarkable, life-affirming story, particularly as the horse had to fight back from career-threatening injuries before its day of triumph at Chepstow racecourse.

Last night’s premiere at the recently re-opened Maxime Cinema was beamed by satellite to other Welsh cinemas and heralded a general release for the film across the UK from Friday.

Dream Alliance’s owner Jan Vokes - a barmaid who convinced nine customers at the local working men’s club where she worked to pay £10 a week as part of a syndicate to pay for his upkeep - is one of the film’s real-life stars and was at last night’s event.

Dream Alliance might now be 13 years old and retired from competitive racing, but that was not enough to keep him out of the limelight and he portrays himself in the film.