Once-in-a-lifetime horse Live In The Dream's death announced in 'incredibly hard' farewell

Once-in-a-lifetime racehorse Live In The Dream has died at the age of seven, 17 months after his last race. Owned by colourful husband and wife Steve and Jolene De’Lemos and trained in Epsom by Adam West, he became a rags-to-riches success story.

Bought for £24,000, he went on to earn more than £500,000 with six victories from 20 starts. He peaked at York in August 2023 when, under rookie jockey Sean Kirrane, he blitzed the cream of Europe’s 5f sprinters, defeating hot favourite Highfield Princess at odds of 28-1. West had never saddled a winner of any Group race before as Live In The Dream became the first Group 1 winner to come out of Epsom since Harbour Law landed the 2016 St Leger.

Live In The Dream went on to race at the Breeders’ Cup, finishing fourth in the Turf Sprint at Santa Anita.

• Frankie Dettori performs one of his final flying dismounts on farewell tour

• Cheltenham 2026: Harry Redknapp’s King George-winning star among Gold Cup entries

He ran four times in 2024 without winning when his season ended in August when he picked up a foot injury just before he was to bid for a second Nunthorpe.

West relocated to France and Live In The Dream was transferred to Ed Walker in January 2025 but was not seen on a racecourse again after he developed a cyst in a stifle joint which became infected and he spent several weeks in hospital.

Live In The Dream had been out of training since February 2025 but the De’Lemos family announced on Wednesday that the sprinter had died.

In a post they said: “Today we say goodbye to Live In The Dream—a unique character, a true competitor, and a world traveler.

“A once-in-a-lifetime horse who was truly part of our family. Saying goodbye is incredibly hard. Rest in peace, our Fred.”