The first Australian book of Dream Ahead (USA) is rapidly coming to a close following an outstanding response to the five-time European Group 1 winner.

Emirates Park nominations manager Bryan Carlson confirmed this week that only a small number of bookings are still available to Dream Ahead for his inaugural southern hemisphere breeding season, and that he fully expected the exciting stud prospect’s allocation to be completely filled.

Dream Ahead’s first book of mares represents a magnificent cross section of the Australian broodmare population. Besides being mated to the very best broodmares owned by stud principal His Excellency Nasser Lootah, many of the most commercial breeders in Australia have also supported the world acclaimed sprinter in an emphatic show of support for his stud career.

Visiting Dream Ahead at Murrurundi this season are no fewer than 30 black-type racemares, 24 sisters to Group 1 winners and 25 dams of stakes winners.

Most significant amongst the names of mares to have been served by Dream Ahead so far this breeding season are Shamekha and Ofcourseican, individual winners of the Group 1 STC Coolmore Classic. They are not the only Group 1 winning racemares in Dream Ahead’s 2012 book however, as VRC LKS Mackinnon Stakes winner La Bella Dama has also been covered by the first season sire.

In addition to Group 1 winners Shamekha, Ofcourseican and La Bella Dama, the likes of Western Jewel (WATC Perth Cup-G2), Afraah (AJC Frank Packer Pl.-G3), Country Lodge (VRC Vanity S.-G3), Faiza (MRC Blue Diamond Pre.-G3), Salameh (AJC Fernhill S.-G3) and Besame Mucho (STC Research S.-G3) are also in the stallion’s contingent.

Not to be overlooked in recognizing the quality mares visiting Dream Ahead this season is also the name of Fatoon. Winner of both the Group 2 STC Reisling Slipper Trial and Group 3 AJC Sapphire Stakes for Emirates Park in her racing days, this top-quality broodmare has far more recently been responsible for the 2012 Group 1 ATC Epsom Handicap winner Fat Al.

Besides Fal Al, other prominent 2012 spring carnival performers whose dam can also be found in Dream Ahead’s book are the likes of Oasis Bloom, Lady Of Harrods and Launay. There is also a full-sister to Scarf, the Darley Australia-bred winner of the Listed Dubai Duty Free Cup run at Newbury, England, in late September.

Other producers of considerable note to be found in Dream Ahead’s 2012 book include the dams of such notable black-type winners as Rothesay (ex Schiaparelli), Madame Pedrille and M’Lady Pedrille (ex Damzelle Pedrille), Mr Chard (ex Najar) and Cent Per Cent (ex Minnie Me), as well as the stud’s triple Group 1 winner Shamekha (ex Lifetime Story).

Carlson confirmed that daughters of such hugely influential sires as Sadler’s Wells, A.P. Indy, Green Desert, Galileo and the incomparable Danehill are also a major element of the 130-plus mares he expects Dream Ahead to cover by season’s end.

“It’s been tremendously exciting seeing Dream Ahead’s first breeding season at Emirates Park come together,” claimed Carlson. “Broodmare owners have been very supportive and helped launch his southern hemisphere stud career in a very positive fashion.

“There are only a few nominations left in his first book and any breeders still interested in committing a mare to Dream Ahead can be assured that they will be in very good company.

“I’d encourage any broodmare owners still to see Dream Ahead to come and pay us a visit. They shouldn’t hesitate to give us a call to make an appointment.”