The quest for Secretariat look-a-likes to star in a Walt Disney Pictures’ movie about the legendary race horse has turned up its first star—a 3-year-old Thoroughbred named Cyclone Larry.

“Larry” is owned by Heather Benson, who manages the North Dakota Horse Park in Fargo. She entered him in the online casting call for the movie role as the great chestnut race horse.

The movie-makers are in search of similar-looking horses to play the 1973 Triple Crown champion. Under the deal, the horse is sold to Disney for the duration of the filming but is then returned to the owner.

The Secretariat equine actors will be handled by well-known trainer Rusty Hendrickson.

According to the film’s website (www.secretariat.com), the movie producers are in need of two main Secretariats and as many as four stand-ins. Interested horse owners may e-mail photographs of their equine, big-screen hopefuls to casting@secretariat.com.

Applicants must also complete an online Secretariat casting form found at the main website where additional information about the casting call is located. All photographs will be reviewed by Hendrickson, who was also in charge of horse selection for such recent major motion pictures as Seabiscuit and Dreamer.

“The three main qualities I’m looking for in a horse to portray Secretariat are looks, temperament and soundness,” said Hendrickson. “A big flashy chestnut would obviously have an inherent advantage. A calm temperament is particularly key, especially when multiple takes are involved.”

But applicants need not feel that they must have an identical-looking horse to be considered. “We can do wonders with equine makeup for the white facial markings and the three white socks,” said Hendrickson. “Our horses need to be sound—but racing experience is not a necessity. And Secretariat’s short back and round hip are somewhat reminiscent of American Quarter Horses, so owners of that breed should also feel free to make submissions.”