Dream Alliance who won Welsh Grand National against the odds after being brought up on allotment dies aged 22
DREAM ALLIANCE, the 2009 Welsh Grand National-winning horse, has died aged 22.
Known as “Dreamy”, he was raised on an allotment in Wales by Janet Vokes.
Owned by friends who each paid £10 per week, he remarkably won the 2009 Welsh Grand National in a huge upset.
The story was told in a 2015 documentary and the 2020 film “Dream Horse”.
Dream Alliance retired from racing in 2012 and has been living in Somerset with owner Claire Sandercock.
And now she has confirmed he has passed away.
Speaking on Facebook, she said: “We have had to say a heart-breaking goodbye to our amazing Dreamer.
“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.
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“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.”
Dream Alliance made his racing debut at Newbury in 2004, winning for the first time at Chepstow two years later.
He claimed the Perth Gold Cup in April 2007, before suffering an injury to a tendon in his leg in 2008.
Rather than putting the horse down, Dreamy’s owners paid £20,000 for a stem-cell treatment which proved successful.
He returned to racing in 2011 and the following year won the Welsh Grand National despite starting as a 20/1 outsider.