Dream Alliance, the allotment-raised racehorse who famously won the 2009 Welsh Grand National against the odds, has died aged 22.
The romantic story of Dreamy, as he was affectionately known, was etched into Welsh sporting folklore and even made into a Hollywood film starring Toni Colette.
Dream Alliance was raised on an allotment in Cefn Fforest, near Blackwood, by supermarket worker and barmaid Janet Vokes and her husband Brian, while the horse was owned by a syndicate of friends who paid £10 a week to maintain the horse's upkeep.
After he was retired from racing in 2012, Dream Alliance had been enjoying post-racing life in Somerset with former groom Claire Sandercock, who had cared for him during his career at trainer Philip Hobbs' stables and was then gifted the horse by the syndicate. He has now died aged 22.
Syndicate founder Janet and Brian, who had bred pedigree whippet dogs and racing pigeons, decided in 1998 to breed a racehorse of their own, so bought mare Rewbell for £300 at a yard in Llanelli and found an Oxfordshire-based stallion with racing pedigree, Bien Bien, to breed Dream Alliance.
Sent to be trained by Hobbs at the age of three, Dreamy's racing debut came at Newbury in 2004 while he got his first win in 2006 over the hurdles at Chepstow, before winning the Perth Gold Cup in 2007. A year later, he severed a tendon in his leg and while it was an injury which would have led many owners to put their horse down, Janet and the syndicate paid £20,000 for ground-breaking stem cell treatment.
Against all odds, Dreamy returned to the racecourse and in 2009 the then eight-year-old won the Welsh Grand National - Wales' biggest horse race - at odds of 20-1, ridden by Tom O'Brien. The horse's career winnings totalled £138,646, but after vet, stable and training bills the 23 syndicate members made £1,430 each. But it is the legendary sporting achievement which will stay with them for much longer.
"We have had to say a heart-breaking goodbye to our amazing Dreamer," Dreamy's last owner Claire Sandercock posted on Facebook, via BBC Sport. "Many will know and remember Dreamer from his racing days and I know I will never forget the thrill of riding him on the gallops every day.
"I was so, so proud of him when he won the Welsh National and I remember telling him afterwards that I didn't care if he ever won another race again as long as he came home safe and sound.
"After he retired from racing the syndicate gifted Dreamer to me and I have owned him for nearly 11 years. Alongside my mum Debbie we have felt privileged to care, ride and love this very special horse.
"Dreamer has always been a gentle and kind horse, but since his retirement from racing his personality has changed so much, he gained a cheeky sense of humour. He could always tell what you were thinking and if you wanted a quiet plod round the lanes then that is what he gave you, but if you wanted a gallop then he would step it up and be more than up for it.
"He leaves a huge hole in our lives.... thank you for everything my darling Dreamy, you will never be forgotten."
Horse breeder Janet previously said that Dreamy had a "fabulous home" in retirement, where he was spoilt, massaged and washed down by his attendants, although she couldn't bear to visit her "baby" as she wouldn't be able to say goodbye.
Before Dreamy's death, Janet spoke to WalesOnline about a new star in the making, Phoenix Dream, aptly named after he was born following a fire at the stable which killed a foal six years ago. Phoenix Dream, whose stable named is Elsie, is currently training at Martin Jones' stables in Gloucester with the aim of racing by October. You can read more about that here.
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