From Dud to Star, Spielberg's 'War Horse' Discovered in Orange County

Orange County can lay claim to its share of residents or natives who have filled the silver screen, from stars such as Cameron Diaz and Sandra Bullock to Will Farrell and John Wayne.

But no stars—not even the Duke himself—are as big literally as the latest A-lister to come out of The O.C. His name is Finder’s Key, and you can find him on the big screen starring in Steven Spielberg’s newest film “War Horse.”

Finder’s Key wasn’t always a stud. He started out as a bit of a dud as a racehorse at the Los Alamitos Race Course. So when Hollywood came casting, Finder’s Key’s owner Arthur “Curly” Ortiz was quick to sell.

As he told South Carolina’s The Pilot, Finder’s Key just had no future in racing.

“He was just impossible to train,” Ortiz told the newspaper. “He would rear, and nobody wanted to get on him. He wouldn’t go to the track without a pony.”

So maybe Finder’s Key is part diva. It’s warranted. His breakout role was the title character in the 2003 film “Seabiscuit.” In “War Horse” he also plays the title character Joey, and nails dramatic scenes such as being trapped in barbed wire.

For the complete story on Finder’s Key, check out The Pilot article here.