A documentary is in the works following former British professional jockey Joe Rodder’s plans to run an uninterrupted course across all 59 of Britain’s licensed racecourses this autumn, raising money and awareness for charities focused on the horse racing community and mental health.
Jockey Rodder, who now lives in Hong Kong, was a professional jockey who competed in Britain and Europe for 10 years, winning numerous races, before breaking his hip and abruptly ending his career in his late 20s. Since then, he has found a new sporting life in ultra-distance running, completing many major long-distance events.
The documentary was produced by Hiu Man Chan through the NGO UK-China Film Collab and incorporates footage shot on the route, archival race material and interviews with rodders and figures from the sport. The UK-China film collaboration, whose credits so far include the Hong Kong documentary Four Trails, will focus on UK, Hong Kong and international audiences, pursuing a tailored release strategy for festivals and cross-border markets.
“I was in hiding as racing took away from me due to injury. Now I hold my head up and realize how amazing the racing community is. I want to run all 59 racetracks and give back by telling their stories and helping the lesser-known people who are important to our sport,” Rodder said.
Director Chan said, “When you hear Joe’s story, you already see the movie. Often, the greater impact is caused by an individual’s intense and inexplicable passion. It is extraordinary imagination, sometimes madness, that will continue to inspire future generations to question and reflect on life. With similar determination, I hope to translate Joe’s journey into a cinematic endeavor.”
This project is not the first time Loder has been the subject of a documentary. In 2025, he appeared in “Run China Run,” which chronicled the team’s 60-day, 3,140km walking journey from the Great Wall of China to Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong.
The project was developed from conversations at the UK Film Pavilion during FilMart 2026 in Hong Kong.
