Dark Dream (horse)

Dark Dream
Sire All American
Grandsire Red Ransom
Dam Buchanan Girl
Damsire Lion Hunter
Sex Gelding
Foaled 30 October 2014
Country Australia
Colour Grey-brown
Owner Miss M Basson and Miss J M Wilson
Trainer Darren Weir
Record 10-4-5-1
Earnings A$586,651
Major wins
Rough Habit Plate (G3)(2018)
Queensland Derby (G1)(2018)
Last updated on 10 June 2018

Dark Dream (foaled 30 October 2014) is a Thoroughbred racehorse trained and bred in Australia. He won the Queensland Derby, a Group One race, and has won over half a million dollars.

Career

Dark Dream had his first race 21 November 2017, starting as a $15 outsider. Breaking his maiden on debut, he collected $16710 winnings. His next two races were seconds at Kembla Grange and Royal Randwick. Dark Dream had his next win on a Friday night at Canterbury Park in January 2018. With betting opening at $3.50, he jumped as $1.60 favourite, winning by a length and a half.[1]

Returning in March 2018, Dark Dream had two seconds before travelling to Brisbane to race in the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic, where, "he charged hard late before missing by just 0.1L. No other horse ever looked likely and there was a 5.5L margin between Dark Dream and [the] third placegetter."[2]

A fortnight later, Dark Dream won the Rough Habit Plate. Starting from a wide gate, he had to use up energy to settle third, but powered home to win by 4 lengths. Jockey Tim Clark said, "He hasn’t put it together yet, but the talent is definitely there He’s a horse you have to ride a bit ugly, you can’t sit on him too pretty. He travelled up really strongly on the turn and put them away in a couple of strides. He’s definitely a true stayer because he was strong on the line."[3] Trainer Kerry Parker subsequently admitted there has been many international offers to buy the horse, saying, "The owners did get a little wobbly at one stage, but they have stuck solid and so far so good. They can get silly money for a three-year-old gelding, so you have to weigh it up. I know if I owned him he would probably be sold because it probably changes my life."[4]

Dark Dream next finished third in the Grand Prix Stakes, with his jockey claiming it was a good effort considering he lost a shoe in the race.[5]

Next, Dark Dream won the Queensland Derby, giving trainer Parker his first Group 1 victory. He said, "He is just a real stayer and I knew I had him right, but this is a Derby – they don’t give them away. I wanted him to go because I know how strong he is. When he took over at the 600m I thought 'it's up to you now boy', and he was the strongest stayer."[6] Weeks later is was announced Dark Dream had been sold to Hong Kong.[7]

Breeder Mary Jane Basson was awarded Small Breeder of the Year in 2018 by the Thoroughbred Breeders NSW for her efforts in breeding Dark Dream noting that she paid $800 for his dam Buchanan Girl.

References

  1. ↑ "2nd Win From All American 3 Year Old, Dark Dream". Kerry Parker Racing.
  2. ↑ James Lamb & Isaac Ling. "Punters post-race: Saturday April 28 in review". punters.com.au.
  3. ↑ Nathan Exelby. "Chris Waller tightens grip on Queensland Oaks with promising Youngstar". news.com.au.
  4. ↑ Nathan Exelby. "Derby quest alive despite nibbles for Dark Dream from buyers". Courier Mail.
  5. ↑ Chris Roots. "Unstoppable Waller takes stranglehold on JJ Atkins". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  6. ↑ Chris Roots. "From nightmare scenario to fairytale Derby win for Dark Dream". Sydney Morning Herald.
  7. ↑ Ray Thomas. "Trainer Kerry Parker suffers spring blow as owners take Dark Dream in new direction". Daily Telegraph.
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