Always Dreaming (Bodemeister–Above Perfection, by In Excess {Ire}), the 2017 Kentucky Derby winner, has been purchased to continue his stud career in Oklahoma at River Oaks Farm. He will join resident stallions Revved Up, Caleb's Posse, Wilburn, and Excaper.
In a deal brokered by Chad Schumer, Always Dreaming ranks sixth behind Justify, Good Magic, etc. and ahead of Bolt d'Oro, Collected, Mo Town, etc. He previously stood at WinStar Farm in Kentucky.
In three crops of racing age, he has sired 83 winners, including last season's GI Pennsylvania Derby winner Saudi Crown, who was a $240,000 purchase as a 2-year-old in training and has already earned over $2.9 million in purse money.
“Very exciting for Oklahoma breeders to have the opportunity to use such a good-looking Kentucky Derby winner in Always Dreaming,” said Schumer.
Among the leading sophomores in 2017, he won the GI Florida Derby before taking the Kentucky Derby. He then went on to run third in the GII Jim Dandy Stakes and second in the GII Gulfstream Park Hardacre Mile Stakes.
Earning over $2.4 million at the track, he retired to stand at WinStar as a 4-year-old. Bred by Santa Rosa Partners, Always Dreaming is out of Above Perfection, who won seven of 10 starts, including the GIII Las Flores Handicap. He is also the half brother to Grade II winner Positive Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile), who sold for $1.5 million as a broodmare prospect in 2020.
Stud fee is to be determined at a later date.
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