Champions (1984)

by Linda Kay

Directed by: John Irvin

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: The true story of jockey Bob Champion (John Hurt) and his amazing comeback after battling testicular cancer.

Kitty Cameo: While undergoing chemotherapy treatment, Bob stays with his sister and her family. He is watching a horse race with his niece Emma (Julie Adams) and nephew Richard (Michael Byrne) while holding the family’s longhair tabby cat on his lap.

Champions - Bob Champion John Hurt sitting on couch with longhair tabby cat on lap and Emma Julie Adams
Champions - Bob Champion John Hurt sitting on couch with longhair tabby cat on lap and Emma Julie Adams and Richard Michael Byrne

During the Grand National race at the end of the film, the family is gathered around the television set watching. Emma has the cat upon her lap, although the cat doesn’t seem particularly interested in the race itself.

Champions - Bob Champion family watching Grand National on television with Emma Julie Adams holding longhair tabby cat
Champions - Bob Champion family watching Grand National on television with Emma Julie Adams holding longhair tabby cat

Final Mewsings: Cats are extremely grateful they are too small for people to ride.

Many thanks to RobG for letting us know about the cat in this film.

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