I Dream Again rallies for Jamaica Derby victory

ST LEGER winner I DREAM AGAIN stuck his head in front, passing the winning post for the first time, liked what he saw in the mirror, and fought off all challenges to land the Jamaica Derby despite being passed in the stretch run by 1000 Guineas winner BURNING HEDGE.

I DREAM AGAIN (Soul Warrior-Lady Najariya), a late foal purchased for $3m at the 2023 Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Mixed Sale, handed Derrick Smith, former member of parliament and long-serving minister of national security, with his second Jamaica Derby winner in a decade

SEEKING MY DREAM, two-time Horse of the Year and dual Diamond Mile winner (2015-2016), for whom I DREAM AGAIN was named, won the 2015 Jamaica Derby for Smith and late 18-time champion trainer Wayne DaCosta.

I DREAM AGAIN handed jockey Robert Halledeen and DaCosta’s son, Jason, defending champion trainer, their first Jamaica Derby winner in a gritty Battle of the Sexes with BURNING HEDGE.

Passing the clubhouse turn just ahead of STRONG MIND, I DREAM AGAIN was afterwards pressed by NUCLEAR JET, who afterwards gave way to 2000 Guineas winner SENSATIONAL SOUL five furlongs out in the mile-and-a-half derby.

However, Halledeen opened the throttle leaving the half-mile marker to scoot away from SENSATIONAL SOUL, while Panamanian Dick Cardenas travelled a rail route into a stalking fourth position, improving rapidly into second coming off the home turn.

The brave filly, winner of last December’s Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes against colts and geldings, pulled alongside I DREAM AGAIN and edged ahead when urged by Cardenas a furlong and a half out.

A thrilling duel ensued in which the whip rule was made a mockery by Halledeen, who, all told, delivered no fewer than 15 strikes, especially close home, to conjure a tremendous rally from rail-running I DREAM AGAIN, winning the derby by a length in 2:40.0.

Halledeen and DaCosta dominated the back end of the 11-race Derby Day card, I DREAM AGAIN closing a hat-trick of winners for the jockey-trainer combination, having landed the ninth and 10th events with importees GIRVANO and H TWO O, respectively.