Dream Ahead, who beat Goldikova in the Qatar Prix de la Foret (Fr-I) Oct. 2 in what was his final start, has been retired for stallion duty in 2012 at Ballylinch Stud near Thomastown, Ireland. The 3-year-old son of Diktat will stand for 17,500 euros (approximately $24,100) and his book will be limited to 130 mares.
“His defeat of Goldikova in the Prix de la Foret was a lovely note to end on,” said John O’Connor, managing director of Ballylinch. “He has done everything that could have been asked of him, and there was no need to race again.”
Dream Ahead, winner of last year’s Shadwell Middle Park Stakes (Eng-I) and the Darley Prix Morny (Fr-I), was England’s co-highweighted 2-year-old male with Frankel. This year, in addition to the Qatar Prix de la Foret, Dream Ahead captured the Darley July Cup (Eng-I) and the Betfire Sprint Cup (Eng-I). He exits with six wins from nine starts and earnings of $1,261,395.
Bred in Kentucky by Sheikh Mohammed's Darley, Dream Ahead is out of English group II winner Land of Dreams (by Cadeaux Genereux) and is a half brother to English stakes winner Into The Dark.
Emirates Park in Australia acquired the Southern Hemisphere rights to the horse and a fee will be announced shortly. His book in Australia also will be limited to 130 mares.