Multiple Group One winner Dream Ahead has been retired to stud, according to reports in America.
The David Simcock-trained colt earned champion sprinter-elect honours this year with victories in the Darley July Cup, Betfred Sprint Cup and Prix de la Foret, where he beat wonder mare Goldikova.
Owned by Khalifa Dasmal, a share in the son of Diktat was recently sold to Ballylinch Stud, whose managing director John O’Connor was quoted on www.bloodhorse.com: “His defeat of Goldikova in the Prix de la Foret was a lovely note to end on.
“He has done everything that could have been asked of him, and there was no need to race again.”
Following wins in the Darley Prix Morny and Shadwell Middle Park Stakes, Dream Ahead finished his juvenile campaign as the joint top-rated juvenile in Europe in company with Frankel.
His victory in the July Cup at Newmarket under Hayley Turner meant a first outright success in a British Group One contest for a female rider.
“He’s been a star right from day one and has been a joy to train,” Simcock told www.ballylinchstud.com.
“He is the soundest and most straightforward horse you could wish to find and I will be lucky if I can find another horse like him.
“His performance in the Middle Park was outstanding, when he beat good horses like Strong Suit and Approve by an easy nine lengths.
“He’s a great looking horse with a fantastic temperament and I am sure he will be very successful at stud. I wish his new owners the very best of luck with him.”
William Buick rode Dream Ahead in eight of his nine races.
“He’s a fantastic horse. Probably as talented as any horse I’ve ridden in my career so far,” he said.
“He has so much speed. That’s his forte and he could kill off any race in a matter of strides when he was on his game.
“I’d say on his day, he could beat anything put in front of him and he showed what a good horse he is when beating Goldikova in France last time. Frankel aside, she (Goldikova) is arguably the best miler in the world.”
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