The British horse racing community is in mourning following the announcement of the death of the popular sprinter Live In The Dream at the age of seven.
A Fairytale Victory at York
Owned by the charismatic couple Steve and Jolene De'Lemos and trained in Epsom by Adam West, the gelding became a sensational rags-to-riches story. Bought for just £24,000, he amassed over £500,000 in prize money, securing six wins from 20 career starts.
His crowning moment came in August 2023 at York's prestigious Nunthorpe Stakes. Under rookie jockey Sean Kirrane, Live In The Dream produced a stunning performance to defeat the hot favourite, Highfield Princess, at remarkable odds of 28-1. This victory was a landmark for his trainer, as it was West's first ever winner of a Group 1 race and the first top-level winner to be trained in Epsom since 2016.
Injury Struggles and a Final Farewell
Following his York triumph, Live In The Dream competed on the global stage, finishing a creditable fourth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita. However, his 2024 campaign was hampered by a foot injury sustained just before a planned attempt to win a second Nunthorpe Stakes.
After trainer Adam West relocated to France, the horse was transferred to Ed Walker's yard in January 2025. Sadly, he never raced again. He developed a cyst in a stifle joint which became infected, leading to several weeks of hospital treatment. He had been out of training since February 2025.
The De'Lemos family confirmed the sad news on Wednesday, sharing an emotional farewell on social media. They described him as "a unique character, a true competitor, and a world traveler" and a "once-in-a-lifetime horse who was truly part of our family." Their statement concluded: "Saying goodbye is incredibly hard. Rest in peace, our Fred."
A Legacy of Dream-Chasing
Live In The Dream's story captured the imagination of racing fans. From his humble purchase price to his against-the-odds Group 1 glory, he embodied the spirit of the sport. His death marks the loss of a true character who provided one of the most memorable moments of the 2023 flat racing season and brought immense joy to his connections and supporters.
