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| Sumita Pawar |
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After concluding a memorable campaign at Santa Anita on Saturday, Adam West is already eagerly anticipating a trip to next year's Breeders' Cup with his stable star, Live In The Dream.
After winning narrowly at Lingfield on his first race of 2023, no one could have predicted the rapid success that the chestnut horse would achieve throughout the rest of the year. Winning a surprising Group One victory in the Nunthorpe at York, West and the De'Lemos owners began to plan an American adventure for their horse. After a successful first start in the States at Keeneland, Live In The Dream was seen as a strong contender for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.
Despite being fast enough to keep up with the American speedballs during the early stages of the five-furlong race, Live In The Dream paid for his early exertions and was ultimately beaten into fourth place by just over a length. After returning to home soil on Monday evening with his trainer, West, Live In The Dream was reported to be in good health despite the long journey back.
“I got home late last night and so did the horse,” said the Epsom-based trainer. “He almost ran away with me this morning, so he’s obviously feeling good.
West feels the magnitude of the occasion in California may have contributed to Live In The Dream’s defeat, adding, “We put our best plan forward to give him every chance and I think we had him spot-on, but he just got a bit buzzy and ran a tiny bit free and that’s ultimately cost him.
“The day he won the Nunthorpe, there was a huge atmosphere, but Keeneland and the Breeders’ Cup are even bigger. It’s a lot more intense at Santa Anita and I think that just saw him go a stride too quick into the bend and that was it really.
“As he matures next year, I think he’ll settle into those big events a bit better. He was taking on the best of the best and we look forward to working back from the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar next year.”
After ruling out a winter trip to Dubai, West has decided to give his charge a well-earned break. They will then prepare for major prizes in Europe in 2024 before eventually heading back across the Atlantic in the autumn.
He said, “I’ve spoken to Steve about ambitions and he’ll get a nice, long holiday now and we’ll probably start off a bit later next year.
“Ultimately, the main aim will be to defend the Nunthorpe title, but we might take in some other options internationally as well.
“We’ve got this lovely horse and we want to take in as much as we can and get those experiences – and that he can provide us.”