MUMBAI: LA-based Gravity Films has signed Katherine Brooks to direct its first film Freak that will be based on the life of Julie Krone, the only female jockey in the US to win a Triple Crown race.

The casting of the film is underway ahead of a scheduled April start in Michigan and New York. Brooks wrote the screenplay based on Krone‘s autobiography Riding For My Life.

Brooks and Gravity Films will produce the film while John Manulis will serve as executive producer.

Krone achieved close to 4,000 career wins and claimed more than $90m in purse earnings. She also bears the distinction of becoming the only female jockey to be inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall Of Fame.

Brooks recently directed the drama Waking Madison starring Elisabeth Shue, Sarah Roemer, Taryn Manning, Will Patton and Frances Conroy. Her credits include the feature Loving Annabelle