LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 25, 2026) — Pacing Triple Crown winner Western Dreamer passed away Tuesday, March 24, at the Kentucky Horse Park, where he was a beloved resident since July 2001. At 32, he died of age-related infirmities. He retired from racing in October 2000 and lived at Equi-Care Farm in Caledonia, Ontario, before coming to the Kentucky Horse Park.
Sired by Western Hanover and out of Fits of Fun by Panorama, Western Dreamer was foaled on April 25, 1994, at Kentuckiana Farms in Georgetown, Kentucky. He was purchased at auction as a yearling by George Segal of Brittany Farms in Versailles, Kentucky, who raced him as a two-year-old. Western Dreamer was then sold to Canadian owners Matthew, Patrick Jr., and Daniel Daly in November 1996.
The Daly family issued the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened to hear of Western Dreamer’s passing. He brought much joy to our family and Standardbred racehorse fans throughout North America. We have countless fond memories of him on and off the track, most especially during each of his Triple Crown victories. We are most grateful to the staff at the Kentucky Horse Park for how well they have cared for him following his racing years and for ensuring his legacy of excellence lives on.”
Trained by Bill Robinson and driven by Michel Lachance, Western Dreamer became the first Standardbred in 14 years to capture the Pacing Triple Crown in 1997. He set a stakes and world record of 1:51.1 in the Little Brown Jug for a three-year-old pacing gelding on a half-mile track, and later recorded a world record time of 1:51.3 in the Messenger Stakes. He became just the eighth Triple Crown winner and the first since Ralph Hanover in 1983. Western Dreamer was voted Pacer of the Year, Three-Year-Old Pacer of the Year, and Harness Horse of the Year in Canada for his outstanding 1997 season, which included 14 wins in 29 starts and total earnings of $1,812,176. He was also named Pacer of the Year and Three-Year-Old Pacer of the Year in the United States in 1997.
“Dreamer was the perfect ambassador for the Hall of Champions,” said Rob Willis. “For 25 years, he gave visitors from around the world the rare opportunity to connect with a Triple Crown winner in a truly personal way. We will ensure his legacy continues to live on at the Kentucky Horse Park Hall of Champions.”
Like other great Hall of Champions horses, Western Dreamer will be buried at the park’s Memorial Walk of Champions alongside past Standardbred residents Staying Together, Rambling Willie, and Cam Fella, and Thoroughbred residents Point Given, Funny Cide, Go For Gin, Forego, Bold Forbes, John Henry, Alysheba, and Da Hoss. A public memorial service will be held at a future date.