He was a multiple top-flight placegetter last season leading into the G1 Cox Plate, but tragedy struck and he was pulled out of the famous race won by the mighty Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) for the fourth time.
While all the focus was understandably on the champion mare, the connections of Kings Will Dream were heartbroken with the chestnut in a fight for his life to overcome a severe pelvic injury.
But with the fighting qualities he displayed to repel all challenges to claim the Turnbull, Kings Will Dream battled his way back to begin a new preparation with Chris Waller after his former trainer Darren Weir was disqualified.
“This is the most emotional moment I’ve ever had on a racecourse,” part-owner Brae Sokolski said. “That horse is just so special. People don’t understand he was on his death bed, he was gone, let alone to race again.
“That horse is just so special. People don’t understand he was on his death bed, he was gone, let alone to race again.” – Brae Sokolski
“All we wanted to do was to make sure the horse was safe and he survived and it was like his racing career was written off. For him to come back like that is such a testament to his fortitude and character.
“Even when he won the Mornington Cup last season he galloped on himself that badly that he almost went through the tendon. He just goes through the pain barrier, he’s so special.”
A willing patient throughout his rehabilitation, Kings Will Dream kicked off his spring campaign under Waller with an encouraging fifth in the G1 Winx S. and was then sound when eighth in the G1 Makybe S. where he showed he was in need of more ground.
Jockey Jye McNeil
That was served up in the Turnbull and the gallant gelding responded under a copybook rider from Jye McNeil to hand horse and rider their first Group 1 successes.
“It’s been a long time coming and I’ve worked very hard at my career and that makes this money all the more special,” McNeil said.
“It’s been a long time coming and I’ve worked very hard at my career and that makes this money all the more special.” – Jye McNeil
“I ended up a beautiful spot and I was concentrating on Hartnell and trying to find his back. I knew he would take me right to the 100.
“I was able to manoeuvre into the right spot and it’s been a fantastic job by Chris and al the team getting this bloke back from the injury.
“I’ve got so many supporters, my Mum and Dad are at home and they’ll be ecstatic and my Nan and Pop never miss a race and also Jess my partner, I can’t thank them enough.”
Kings Will Dream didn’t spend a penny behind the pace on the fence and he was presented at the right time by McNeil to down his stablemate Finche (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}).
Vow And Declare (Declaration of War {USA}) opened his spring with a top run fourth ahead of Mystic Journey (Needs Further), who came from a mile back for fourth.
Cox Plate target
Kings Will Dream, part of an unbelievable Group 1 day for Waller, now has the G1 Cox Plate firmly on his programme.
“Full credit to the ownership group, we all know what happened in last year’s Cox Plate with a really bad injury,” Waller’s stable representative Jo Taylor said.
Kings Will Dream is part of an unbelievable Group 1 day for Chris Waller
“They went to all lengths to ensure that the horse got through rehab to get back to racing,” “Chris has managed his return so well, ensuring just enough gets done and not too much.
“You certainly couldn’t fault Finche either and the main aim was that Chris wanted him to settle into a good rhythm and he did that. He was certainly strong late and it’s onward and upward to the Melbourne Cup with him.”
