She was born in Port Elizabeth four years ago — and today she’s a movie star, known the world over.
Having been forced into early retirement, racehorse Jenny Denny was living on a Fairview farm 18 months ago when she was spotted by equine movie talent scouts who realised she was the perfect fit for Black Beauty in Walt Disney’s new production of Anna Sewell’s classic novel.
Jenny, whose character is voiced by Academy Award-winning actress Kate Winslet, taken the career change in her stride and delivered a stellar performance in the movie, which was launched in November, top racehorse trainer Gavin Smith said on Friday.
“It was absolutely amazing to see what she learnt and how happy she looks.
“There are so many negative things around at the moment related to the Covid pandemic, and it was beautiful to see something positive like this.”
Jenny Denny was bred by Port Elizabeth horse breeders Ian and Nina Robertson at their Sardinia Bay farm, Milkwood Stud.
She was then bought at a yearling sale by KwaZulu-Natal racehorse owner Mary Liley, one of Smith’s clients.
In April 2019, Liley sent the striking black mare back to Nelson Mandela Bay to join Gavin Smith Racing Stables at Fairview Race Course and in the next short while she raced twice and was placed on both occasions, he recalled.
“She was on the verge of winning her first race.”
But Jenny Denny had at the same time developed a chronic niggle with her near front fetlock [left ankle], he said.
“She was in no pain but I discussed it with Mary and, instead of patching her up all the time, we decided to retire her.”
With the decision having been taken, he alerted De La Ranch Equestrian, the Fairview dealing yard which prepares and sells on retired racehorses for second careers, and the mare moved there in July 2019.
Not long afterwards he heard the news that she had been snapped up for a movie.
“I’m not surprised they found her here in Port Elizabeth after looking all over the country. This is a very special place for horses.”
De La Ranch Equestrian co-owner Kelly Mitchley said she and her business partner Junhanay van der Bergh had been smitten by Jenny Denny.
“She was really easy going, about 16 hands, so not too big, and really beautiful.”
Not long after they posted her on their Facebook site for the asking price of R4,500, they had received a phone call from Edda Ourtaev from Film Equus, she said.
“This lady said they were working on a big movie and were trying to source some horses and Jenny was exactly what they were looking for.
“She said: ‘She’s so beautiful, don’t you want more money?’ But we told her no, that’s the price.”
Black Beauty has changed from a stallion in Sewell’s 1877 novel to a mare in director-screenwriter Ashley Avis’s new movie, but her coal-black appearance with a white star on her forehead is the same.
Mitchley said Jenny Denny in real life also had a white stripe on her nose, but that was easily dealt with on the movie set.
“They just covered it up with black make-up.”
She said she had also loved the film, which was shot in Cape Town.
“In fact I’ve watched it twice. Knowing Jenny’s journey from racehorse to farm horse to movie star, it was great to watch.
“In just two months they taught her to come on command, lie down and play dead and even to kick. It’s pretty amazing.”
Ourtaev said Film Equus had travelled around the country to find horses to take the role of Black Beauty, Ginger, Merrylegs and other lesser parts.
“Jenny Denny was cast as the lead Black Beauty as she ticked all the boxes.
“She was feisty, beautiful beyond, and had that something extra.
“She took to the part like it was written for her alone.”
She said Jenny Denny was now relaxing on the Film Equus farm in George.
“She and her four Black Beauty doubles — all from PE — are enjoying a well-deserved holiday. All will work again in another movie.”
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