Last term's GI Kentucky Derby and GI Florida Derby winner Always Dreaming (Bodemeister–Above Perfection, by In Excess {Ire}) has been retired from racing and will stand stud at WinStar Farm for a 2019 fee of $25,000.
“He was brilliantly fast, and he has everything you want in a stallion–looks, pedigree, and performance,” said WinStar's Elliott Walden. “We dream about the Kentucky Derby every day, but the race I really liked was the Florida Derby. When I saw the teletimer, I was amazed. We are excited to add a potentially breed-shaping stallion from the Unbridled line, which has proven to be today's preeminent classic sire line.”
Purchased by bloodstock agent Steve Young for $350,000 at Keeneland September, Always Dreaming was initially campaigned by Brooklyn Boyz Stables, Teresa Viola Racing Stables, MeB Racing Stables and St. Elias Stables. Hitting the board in his first two outings for Dominick Schettino in New York, the dark bay was transferred to Todd Pletcher and won his first two races for the seven-time Eclipse winner last winter, after which West Point Thoroughbreds and Siena Farm bought in.
Always Dreaming took his win streak for Pletcher to the next level with an impressive score in the Florida Derby and followed suit decisive victory over a wet track at Churchill on the First Saturday in May. He was third in the GII Jim Dandy S. and called it a season at the end of the Saratoga meet. Bought into by WinStar, China Horse Club and SF Bloodstock for his 4-year-old season and stallion career, which was highlight by a second in the GII Gulfstream Park Hardacre Mile, Always Dreaming retires with a record of 11-4-2-2 and earnings of $2,415,860.
“He was one of the most athletic horses I have ever trained,” said Pletcher. “He has a terrific bounce to him. I compare him to a panther, a fluid mover.”
Bred by Santa Rosa Partners, Always Dreaming is out of GSW and GISP Above Perfection, who also produced Grade I winner Hot Dixie Chick (Dixie Union).
Click here to view a roundtable discussion on Always Dreaming, featuring Pletcher, Young and owners Vinnie Viola and Anthony Bonomo.
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