BY LAURIE ROSS
Some stallions catch your eye on pedigree, others on looks and a few bring the kind of commercial appeal that makes breeders take notice right away. Champions Dream (Justify – Dancinginherdreams, by Tapit) fits that mold for Florida breeders.
A handsome gray son of red-hot young sire Justify out of a Tapit mare, he offers access to one of the most sought-after sire lines in the country, backed by the influence of one of the most important modern broodmare sires, while standing his second season at Pleasant Acres Stallions in Morriston.
AT THE RACES
Bred by John Oxley, Champions Dream attracted $425,000 from Rosedown Racing Stables at the 2022 Ocala Breeders’ Sales March Sale.
True to the speed and precocity that run through his female family, Champions Dream arrived at Saratoga as a buzz horse in the summer of 2022 and delivered on that promise, winning his seven-furlong maiden special weight by two-and-a-quarter lengths, defeating a field that included future stakes winner and Grade 3-placed Florida-bred Cagliostro. A fifth in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes in his second career start proved a reach, but he rebounded well to capture the one-mile Nashua Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct in 2022.
In his 3-year-old year, he was second by a neck to Florida-bred Zydeceaux in the $125,000 Pasco at Tampa Bay Downs, then dealt with a series of minor setbacks before closing out his career on a winning note. In his final start on June 23, 2024, Champions Dream took a second-level $62,500 optional claiming at Gulfstream Park over a mile-and-70-yards on synthetic, covering the distance in a sharp 1:39.47. He retired after 11 starts and a bankroll of $211,230.
PEDIGREE
As a Horse of the Year and emerging sire of sires, Justify (Scat Daddy, Stage Magic, by Ghostzapper) gets winners at all distances over multiple surfaces. His progeny carry speed around two turns, excel from sprints through routes and include 2023 Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Just F Y I. and four-time Group 1-winner City of Troy, the world’s top-rated Thoroughbred racehorse of 2024. From only five crops to race, Justify has sired two champions and 21 graded winners.
Champions Dream is the third foal and only black-type earner produced by Dancinginherdreams (Tapit – Mayan Milagra, by Menifee), who raced in the silks of John Oxley. Oxley also campaigned 2021 Kentucky Derby-hero Monarchos and this year has Derby-qualifier Silent Tactic.
A precocious youngster, Dancinginherdreams captured her six-furlong maiden debut at Keeneland by five lengths, and returned just two weeks later with an eye-catching six-and-a-quarter-length score in the Pocahontas (G2).
She returned in her 3-year-old year to place second in a pair of Grade 2 events, the Forward Gal and Davona Dale, and the listed Dream Supreme Stakes. At four, she closed for third-place in the Big Bambu Stakes at Saratoga and retired with a record of four wins, four seconds and third in 15 starts and $328,516 in earnings.
Dancinginmydreams is a full sister to black-type producer Part of the Charm, who bore the stakes-winning sprinter, Brody’s Streak (Brody’s Cause), plus a pair of stakes-placed runners, Bankruptonthebeach (Temple City) and turf miler, Schilflied (Mendelssohn).
Their full brother, Good Pick Nick, was third in the 2015 Pegasus (G3) at Monmouth Park.
Dancinginmydreams is a half-sister to 2012 Sorority (Listed)-winner Doubled (Exchange Rate), who bore the stakes-placed miler, Honorifique (Honor Code). Another half-sister, Callmenancy (Political Force), produced the turf sprinter, 2020 Joe Hernandez (G2)-hero Texas Wedge (Colonel John).
The class continues in Champions Dream’s third generation, with his third dam, the multiple stakes-winning sprinter and black-type producer Dhaka (Icecapade). Her daughter Bema (Pulpit) bore stakes-winning turf sprinter Due Diligence (War Front), who placed in the prestigious Group 1 Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot.
One of the most influential stallions in modern history, Tapit (Pulpit – Tap Your Heels, by Unbridled) is continuing the trend as a leading broodmare sire with 149 stakes winners, including 2023 Horse of the Year Cody’s Wish (Curlin), 2023 Champion 3 Year Old Filly Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief), 2023 Champion 3 Year Old Colt Arcangelo (Arrogate), and Dubai World Cup hero, Hit Show (Candy Ride), who has amassed $9,412,183 in 25 starts.
The Justify – Tapit cross has yielded 16 starters with 11 winners (31%) and two stakes winners, 2025 Virginia Derby (G3) hero American Promise, plus multiple Grade 1-placed Just a Touch.
AT STUD
“Physically, Champions Dream blends the best of Justify and Tapit,” Pleasant Acres Stallions’ Stallion Manager Christine Jones said. “He’s about 16.1 hands and has a good shoulder and a strong hip—just a gorgeous horse. He was very well received at our stallion show, and his owners plan to support him with ten to twelve mares. I’m anticipating that he’ll get off to a great start.”
With his first foals now on the ground, Champions Dream appears well-suited to sire runners with early speed, class, and the scope to carry that speed farther than a pure sprinter.
Champions Dream is standing the 2026 season for $5,000 live foal.
Return to the April 14 issue of Wire to Wire
