Jess's Dream, Son Of Rachel Alexandra, Succumbs To Laminitis

Jess's Dream , a former Florida stallion who was the first foal produced by 2009 Horse of the Year and Hall of Famer Rachel Alexandra, has been euthanized due to the effects of laminitis, Stonestreet announced via social media on Sunday. The homebred son of Curlin was 12.

"We are saddened to share that we lost Jess’s Dream to laminitis,” Stonestreet posted on X. “The condition came on suddenly & was unrelated to his retirement. Despite immediate veterinary intervention his condition deteriorated to a point where we were unable to keep him comfortable. He will be greatly missed."

Jess’s Dream was pensioned from stud duty at Ocala Stud last year and gelded, with the goal of starting him a new career as a track pony. He had resided at Stonestreet Training Center in Summerfield, Fla.

Garnering national attention as the first foal of Stonestreet's Rachel Alexandra, Jess's Dream's sire, Hall of Famer Curlin, also brought home a pair of Horse of the Year titles (2007, 2008) for the Stonestreet operation. The horse's name was an homage to the vision of Stonestreet's late owner, Jess Jackson.

Sent to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, Jess's Dream had several issues that prevented him from making his lone career start until the summer of his 4-year-old season in 2015. Showing a remarkable turn of foot in a 1 1/8-mile maiden special weight at Saratoga after racing greenly early and appearing hopelessly beaten, he blew past the field to win by a length under John Velazquez.

Jess’s Dream was retired to Ocala Stud in Florida for the 2017 breeding season. From four crops to race, he has 98 winners from 147 starters, including stakes winners Intrepid Daydream and Sweet Dani Girl and stakes-placed Restofthestory.