Jess's Dream, the first foal by Hall of Famer Rachel Alexandra and a veteran stallion in Florida, has been pensioned from stud duty and gelded, with the goal of starting a new career as a track pony.
Owner Stonestreet Farms made the announcement on Friday via its social media channels.
Jess's Dream is currently residing at the Stonestreet Training Center in Summerfield, Fla., where he will work as a track pony for the next generation of Stonestreet runners. The farm stated he would be restarted under tack in 2024.
Jess's Dream, an 11-year-old, gained national attention as the first foal out of 2009 Horse of the Year and Hall of Famer Rachel Alexandra. His sire, the Hall of Famer Curlin, also brought home a pair of Horse of the Year titles for the Stonestreet operation, and the horse's name was an homage to the vision of Stonestreet Farm's late owner Jess Jackson.
He would be one of just two foals out of Rachel Alexandra – the other being the Grade 1-winning Bernardini filly Rachel's Valentina – before the mare was pensioned from production due to recurring foaling complications.
Jess's Dream was placed in the barn of trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, but a variety of maladies kept him from making his lone career start until the summer of his 4-year-old season in 2015.
Jess's Dream appeared green and hopelessly outclassed in the early stages of the race, trailing the leader by more than 18 lengths in a 1 1/8-mile race in Saratoga. He was still barely passing stragglers as the field turned for home, but he unleashed an incredible turn of foot down the Saratoga stretch and blew past the field to win by a length.
The horse was retired to Ocala Stud in Florida for the 2017 breeding season, and he has compiled 90 winners from four crops of racing age, with combined progeny earnings of more than $7.3 million.
His top runners include Grade 3 winner Chess's Dream and stakes winners Dreaming of Snow, Beth's Dream, and Intrepid Daydream.
The post Jess’s Dream, Son Of Rachel Alexandra, Pensioned From Stud Duty With Sights On A New Career appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
