The Story of Seabiscuit (1949)

Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer: But I'll tell you all the news later. Get in some other clothes. You're going to Santa Anita with me.
Margaret O'Hara: Well, Seabiscuit isn't running today, is he?
Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer: No, he's not, but you'll see something with two legs who's in a fair way to become a champion himself. Need I tell you his name?
Margaret O'Hara: No, you needn't. I can't go. I'm on duty.
Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer: You love Ted, don't you?
Margaret O'Hara: Please, Uncle Shawn. This isn't the time or the place. I told you, I'm on duty.
Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer: I'm thinking of your duty to yourself. You're neglecting it shamefully. You'll never be happy sticking your head out of sight like a bloomin' ostrich. Hold it up proud, me girl, and face the truth. Now, hurry, you're free for the afternoon.
Margaret O'Hara: Who said so?
Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer: The superintendant. I just talked with her.
Margaret O'Hara: You didn't tell her we were going to the races?
Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer: I told her you were my niece, that I was from Ireland, and that I'd be in Los Angeles for just this afternoon.
Margaret O'Hara: Why you lying old devil.
Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer: Oh, you do me a great wrong, Maggie. There's not a word of a lie in it. You're me niece right enough, and surely to goodness I'm from Ireland, and I'm driving back to the ranch this very night.
Margaret O'Hara: Are you sure it was the superintendant, Miss Newsome, you saw? I doubt her letting anyone off for any reason.
Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer: That's it, Newsome. A sour, old witch with a voice like a foghorn, and an eye like a tomcat.
Miss Newsome, nursing superintendant: [coming up behind them] Did I hear my name?
Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer: Me dear, lady, you did indeed. I was just talking about a Miss Newsome of County Kerry. I was thinking how strange it was that you, so kind, so generous, so understanding, should have the same name as that old harridan. Get into your street clothes quickly, child. There's a service at All Saints at two o'clock.

---

Thomas Milford, Owner Milford Farms: I agree with you, Margaret, he should get to a warmer climate.
Margaret O'Hara: Where should I be taking him for a warmer climate?
Thomas Milford, Owner Milford Farms: You'll go with him?
Margaret O'Hara: Oh, indeed'n I will, sir.
Thomas Milford, Owner Milford Farms: Well, what about your nursing?
Margaret O'Hara: I'll be nurse to him and him alone until he's well.
Thomas Milford, Owner Milford Farms: Well, then. I think we'd better make it California. Charlie Howard bought a stock farm out there. He could use a man like Shawn.

---

Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer: Ted, I've just had news of a startling nature. George Woolf has signed to ride Heel Fly for the Circle F.
Ted Knowles, Jockey: No kidding?
Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer: We're in a pickle. And there's only one way out.
[looking pointedly at Ted]
Ted Knowles, Jockey: That's a bad break. No, sir. Nothing doing. I'm going to be sitting up in the grand stand with my best girl by my side.
Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer: Ted. Just a minute. Now, see here, lad. You brought this about. You'd no right to tell George you were definitely riding the Biscuit.
Ted Knowles, Jockey: Now, wait a minute...
Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer: Now, don't attempt to evade the situation. It rests squarely on your strong, young shoulders. Would you let Mr. Howard down? And through Mr. Howard me, your uncle-to-be? And through me, Margaret, the girl you love?
Ted Knowles, Jockey: Look who's talking. Who got me to give up riding? Who talked about food until I was starving to death?
Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer: Aw, food is for pigs.
Ted Knowles, Jockey: Who practically forced me to take the job of assistant trainer?
Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer: It was an old man talking to you, boy. An old man with the blood dried in his veins. You should never listen to such nonsense.
Ted Knowles, Jockey: I don't know. No that I think about it, I kind of like the idea of sitting in the grandstand.
Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer: Oh, the saints preserve us! Did I ever think I'd see a young jock with the hot blood in him ready to swap a seat on a horse for one on the grandstand?
Ted Knowles, Jockey: You can talk all you want. It won't do any good. I gave Margaret my promise.
Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer: Ah, yes, but was your heart in your promise? Do you really want to see some other jockey on the Biscuit in the handicap? Are you the sort of boy that any old fool like meself can talk out of the greatest thrill in the world, winning the Santa Anita? What's sitting in the grandstands compared to checking your horse at the starting gate? And the gate sprung, and you're off. You feel Seabiscuit running swift and sure...
Ted Knowles, Jockey: Cut it out. You know I'd give my right eye to be up there.
Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer: You shouldn't have interrupted. I had the race all but won for you.
Ted Knowles, Jockey: But I won't be winning it. When Margaret comes back she expects to find me a trainer. And that's just what I'm gonna be.
Shawn O'Hara, Seabiscuit's Trainer: Ted, a word to the wise. The O'Hara women are

---

read more quotes from The Story of Seabiscuit...

In the close-ups, Seabiscuit was played by Sea Sovereign, his son.
Though shot in Technicolor, the film incorporates actual black-and-white footage of Seabiscuit in races.
The horse which plays Seabiscuit was a cousin to the real Seabiscuit.
read more facts about The Story of Seabiscuit...