Age Not Slowing Jesta Dreama

Mark Smith - Friday April 15

Grand old performer Jesta Dreama drew first blood on the $1,500,000 raceday at Sale on Good Friday when lumping his top-weight to victory in the $150,000 Country Trainers Series Final (1600m).

Jesta Dreama clears away under Vlad Duric (image Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

The Wendy Kelly-trained 8yo son of Bon Hoffa was coming off a win at Sandown, defeating Unfair Dismissal and Electric Belle, and that trio went 1-2-3 again.

Vlad Duric has a successful association with the veteran. He was in the saddle again as Jesta Dreama defeated Unfair Dismissal (All Too Hard) by one and three-quarter lengths with Electric Belle (Power) back in third.

“Absolutely fantastic. Thrilled for this horse, the owners, and the team at home who work tirelessly with these beautiful animals,” Kelly said.

“It’s also great for Vlad. We were chatting before the race, and he said this is the track where he has his most wins. So, he knows the track well.

Advertisement

“He is a horse that loves racing. Generally, we space his races, and he just enjoys being in the stable. He is one of the favourites of the team.

“Vlad has clicked with him so well. It’s like watching old Bon Hoffa going around again.”

The Kelly family homebred advances his record to nine wins, ten seconds, and five thirds from 53 starts with earnings of $378,690.

Jesta Dreama is the best of seven winners from eight to race from the Rory’s Jester mare Jesta Dreamn’, a descendent of Toy Show’s sister Badine.

Looks like Bon Hoffa has covered his last mare

Group 1 MRC Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winner Bon Hoffa was retired with little fanfare in March after 13 seasons at stud.

His five stakes winners include Bon Aurum, who emulated his sire by winning the Group 1 MRC Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

Bon Hoffa’s Group II MRC Thousand Guineas Prelude winner Bon's A Pearla has been in rare form. After finishing third in the Group 1 Australian Guineas on March 5, she has placed in the Group III Alexandra Stakes and Group III Auraria Stakes.

Advertisment

Race Result - Preston Rowe Patterson (Bm70) 1500m

Sale Track: Good(4) Time: 1:31.36
1
Jesta Dreama
- 8g Bon Hoffa (AUS) x Jest Dreamin' (AUS) (Rory's Jester (AUS))
Tnr: Ms W Kelly Rdr: V Duric 62.5
2
1.8
Unfair Dismissal
- 6g All Too Hard (AUS) x Up And Up (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: D M Noonan Rdr: Beau Mertens 58
3
1.9
Electric Belle
- 4m Power (GB) x Kool Gal (NZ) (Danroad (AUS))
Tnr: Alexander Rae Rdr: Craig Williams 56.5
4
2.3
High Done
- 6g High Chaparral (IRE) x Donelmi (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: Paul & Tracey Templeton Rdr: J Noonan 55.5
5
2.4
Yulong Patrol
- 6g Society Rock (IRE) x Maiepomai (IRE) (Kalanisi (IRE))
Tnr: Andrew Bobbin Rdr: J Mott 60
6
3.2
Lake Tai
- 5g Makfi (GB) x Keepa Cheval (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: Smiley Chan Rdr: Angus Chung 55
7
3.6
Adandiman
- 4g Dandino (GB) x Mumbeilly (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Mitchell Freedman Rdr: Tahlia Hope 60.5
8
4.6
Tatunka
- 6g Redente (AUS) x Paramytha (AUS) (Tuscany Flyer (AUS))
Tnr: R F Donat Rdr: D Oliver 61
9
5.3
San Mauritz
- 4g Ilovethiscity (AUS) x Silkesong (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: Ms M Lawson Rdr: C Newitt 54
10
6.3
Cheeky Peaky
- 5g Strategic Maneuver (AUS) x Bleverdeen (AUS) (Blevic (AUS))
Tnr: Ben Brisbourne Rdr: Patrick Moloney 55.5
11
6.5
Donation
- 4h Outreach (AUS) x Codice Fiscale (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Holly McKechnie Rdr: Dean Holland 56
12
8.8
Seeingisbelieving
- 7g Sebring (AUS) x Dream 'n' Believe (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: Paul & Tracey Templeton Rdr: A Lynch 58
13
12.5
Drop The Mic
- 5g Your Song (AUS) x Himalayan Queen (AUS) (Hold That Tiger (USA))
Tnr: Alisa Hinch Rdr: Ethan Brown 59.5
More Reading...
Fawkner Park Back to Winning Ways in G3 Rosehill Gold Cup
Since winning the Listed Albury Gold Cup in March, Fawkner Park has undergone an amazing transformation.
Switzerland Brother an Inglis Easter Highlight for 2025
An “arrogant’’, “dominant’’ and “awesome’’ victory solidified Easter Sale superstar Switzerland’s future at stud when he produced a devastating performance to win the stallion making G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington today.
2024 Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw
The all important barrier draw for the world’s richest handicap, the $8.5million Group I VRC Melbourne Cup (3200m) has been held for a field which contains horses bred in seven countries and trained in four.
Invincible Mares Quinella G3 Furphy Sprint
The first foal of triple Group I winning mare Shoals, blueblood I Am invincible mare Isthmus has been threatening to win a stakes race this year and got the job done when charging clear to score a dominant victory in the Group III VRC Furphy Sprint (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday over another I Am Invincible mare in Kundalini.
Third G1 Win for Star Savabeel Mare Atishu
A year after flying home for second behind Pride Of Jenni in the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), Go Racing’s pin-up girl Atishu(NZ) (Savabeel) returned to Flemington on Saturday and went one better for the Kiwi syndicators.
Sires With Winners - Saturday November 2
Here is the full list of 137 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Bravo Centurion - How Good is He?
Ridden by Chris Parnham for Luke Fernie, Bravo Centurion stretched his winning run to six, making every post a winner to defeat Saloon Bar (Sessions) by a long three and three-quarter lengths with Crippalenko (Maschino) a half-length back in third.
Back to Back Victoria Derby Winners for Triple Crown Hero American Pharoah
The Watson family owned South Australian nursery Mill Park is a name synonymous with serious Group I horses and in particular those bred by astute breeder Harry Perks and this winning association struck for a third time in the $2million Group I VRC Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday when Goldrush Guru saluted to join previous winners they have produced in Rebel Raider and Warning.
Switzerland Wins the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes for Coolmore
After Coolmore’s $875,000 I Am Invincible colt Home Affairs captured the Coolmore Stud Stakes in 2021, it was the turn of the $1,500,000 Snitzel colt Switzerland to do the sponsor proud in the $2,000,000 Group 1 feature at Flemington on Saturday.
William Haggas Trained Lake Forest Triumphs in Golden Eagle
William Haggas is playing his part in keeping the UK economy afloat, taking home a further $5,250,000 after Lake Forest (GB) won an action-packed James Squire Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.