A Day in the Life of Always Dreaming's Dam

An inside look at a day in the life of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Always Dreaming's dam, Above Perfection, at Dromoland Farm. 

Gerry Dilger's Dromoland Farm, home of Always Dreaming's dam Above Perfection. Order This Photo

 
Above Perfection walking on a farm lane. Order This Photo

Always Dreaming was bred in the name of Santa Rosa Partners for Dilger and Mike Ryan. Neither attended the Derby and met up for the first time after the win May 8 at Dromoland. "It's fantastic for this to happen, especially with Mike," said Dilger.

Dilger and Ryan: A celebratory hug after the Classic win.  Order This Photo

 
All smiles. Order This Photo

Dilger and Ryan purchased the grade 3 winner for $450,000 during the 2006 Fasig-Tipton November Sale when she was carrying a Dixie Union filly who later became grade 1 winner Hot Dixie Chick. "And that was the beginning," said Dilger.

 
Above Perfection, age 19.  Order This Photo

Above Perfection is dappled and looks fantastic. "She is an easy mare," said Dilger. "Laid back and with a good temperament."

 
With some of the Dromoland team, l-r, farm manager Peter Conway, handler Erin McCarthy, and Dilger.  Order This Photo

Above Perfection is being bred this season to Nyquist. Both Ryan and Dilger also were involved with last year's Derby winner. Dilger with partners bought Nyquist as a weanling and Ryan with partners bought Nyquist as a yearling.

On the farm. Order This Photo

On Dromoland in image below, Above Perfection (on right) spends most of her time in a large field with her buddies—Inny River (dk bay, left back), Sweet Profit (chestnut), and Take It Easy Please (lighter bay).

 
With her field buddies. Order This Photo

For more on Always Dreaming's breeders and her pedigree go to, read the May 13 issue of BloodHorse magazine.

Congratulations to all the connections of Always Dreaming.

For more photos and features on the Kentucky Derby winner go to: BloodHorse Photo Store and BloodHorse.com.