Florida Dreams

The highlight of that career came at Aintree on 15 April 2023 — a Class 1 victory, which means one of the top races in Britain. Jockey Danny McMenamin, who knows this horse better than anyone, called it a rough race but was clear about what it revealed: Florida Dreams had the speed for the occasion but also the stamina to see it out, and he described him as "very tough." That combination of pace and grit at the top level is not something every horse can offer, and it remains the defining moment of his record so far.

The partnership with McMenamin is worth noting. In 14 races together they have won 4 times — that's a win rate of roughly 1 in every 3.5 races, or about 29%. That is a genuinely strong record and suggests real familiarity between horse and rider. Thomson's yard has been in good form this season too, sending out 18 winners, so the operation around Florida Dreams is clearly functioning well.

The trickier picture comes at Class 2 level, where he has run 10 times without winning — not once. The step up in class appears to be where he finds life hardest, and his last win came at Hexham in October 2024, now 20 months ago. His recent six runs show no wins and nothing better than a third, with a non-completion mixed in. Thomson has spoken candidly about what the horse needs — better ground, a strong pace to race against, and a trip of around two and a half miles. When those conditions align, the horse performs. When they don't, he can look like a different animal.

At eight years old and currently active — he raced just yesterday — Florida Dreams is still in the mix. With a Class 1 win already on his record and a trainer who understands him well, the question is simply whether the right race and the right ground come together again.