Essay Questions

How does Red break his leg?

Red has been Seabiscuit's jockey from the beginning of Howard's ownership of the horse. However, Red breaks his leg just before the head to head race with War Admiral. It happens when Red agrees to ride a horse for a man who employed him as a boy. But as Red rides the horse two men are attempting to fix a tractor and it backfires and spooks the horse which throws Red off. Red, still attached by one foot to the saddle, is dragged thousands of feet until he slams into a stable wall going full speed. His leg is shattered by this.

What is the significance of Howard, Tom, Red and Seabiscuit all working together?

The three men and Seabiscuit have come together to form motley crew to the outside world. Howard has just come off the loss of his son and a divorce, Tom is a loner considered by most to be a crackpot and Red has struggled and had to fight tooth and nail to survive each day of his life, and Seabiscuit is considered a loser and has had this mentality beaten into him for years. Thus the significance of these characters coming together is that they all need something from one another, companionships, trust, love to name a few. On their journey to winning with Seabiscuit on the track each of them have healing brought to the wounds in their heart, and they become more full once again.

Why does Seabiscuit's size play such a large role in the film?

Seabiscuit is an undersized racehorse during the Great Depression. This is significant because he becomes a symbol of the American people who have been beaten down and who feel small for their inability to get work and make an honest living that provides for their family. When Seabiscuit wins against the titan, War Admiral it is a representation of the American people overcoming the great adversity of the Depression and the large gap between those that have and those that don't.