Legendary director John Ford digs deep into his Irish roots for this affectionate tale about Irish immigrants to America, set in the dramatic world of horse-racing.

A good-hearted Irish landowner finds he has no choice but to sell his beloved horses to a rich American. They strike a bargain that includes the stable boy Neil as part of the package, whose exceptional skills as a jockey will be a great asset in the New World. Neil agrees to up sticks, pledging to send for his sweetheart once he has made his fortune… but Fate deals a hard blow.

This racetrack drama, with its spectacular final race sequence, has a suitably brisk pace plus a host of loveable, Irish characters (the O’Sheas, the O’Haras etc.) and a fully-faceted, multicultural band of jockeys at the track. This memorable ensemble cast features an early performance for Janet Gaynor – who would go on to win the Academy Award for Best Actress a year later in Sunrise.

Dir. John Ford | USA | 1926 | N/C 12A | b&w, tinted & toned | English intertitles | 1h 17m + short

With: Janet Gaynor, Leslie Fenton, J. Farrell MacDonald, Louis Payne

Performing live: Mike Nolan (piano)

From the collection of The Museum of Modern Art
Online programme notes by Dr Tony Tracy (University of Galway)