A FILM production company based in Chepstow has scooped two top awards at a film festival in New York.

Equine Productions’ visual director Nathan Horrocks, was awarded Best International Director for Many Clouds, The People’s Horse, and Mole Valley Farmers, Not Your Average Store, won Best International Commercial at the EQUUS Film Festival.

A tribute to former Grand National winner, Many Clouds, The People’s Horse captures the journey of racing star, Many Clouds, during his acclaimed career - from the rise of his talent on the national hunt circuit, to his triumph at the 2015 Grand National.

The story of Many Clouds was closely followed by Equine Productions and the horse holds special memories for visual director Nathan Horrocks, the gelding’s former exercise rider and director of the film.

On winning Best International Director, Mr Horrocks said he was “completely overwhelmed”. During the weekend, he received high praise from fellow award-winning filmmakers from across the globe.

“I entered the film into the festival to share the Many Clouds story with an American audience, to show how much he was loved, but I never expected to win,” he said.

“This is my tribute to him to say thank you for what he has done for me, both personally and professionally, he literally changed my life.”

The film was created using interviews and footage, originally commissioned by the Jockey Club in the lead up to the 2016 Grand National and the material was reused by permission of ITV Racing and Racing UK. This is the third year in a row Equine Productions has triumphed at EQUUS Film Festival.

Moving away from the racetrack, roaming free ponies and other animals were the stars of the show in the Mole Valley Farmers, Not Your Average Store commercial., viewed nearly one million times online. Animal behaviourist Emma Massingale used training methods to create a Night at the Museum-inspired commercial promoting the launch of a new Mole Valley Farmers store in Holsworthy.

Andy Skarzynski, of Mole Valley Farmers, added: “We’re thrilled that it has been recognised on a global stage."