26 August 2023 , 13:09
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At his peak, Goldream was one of the fastest sprinters in the world.
He took less than a minute to cover York's five furlongs in three editions of the Nunthorpe. Now, at stables 12 miles from the track, the dual Group One hero is enjoying life at a much slower pace.
Retrained by charity New Beginnings, therapy horse Goldream makes special appearances in the community. A clip of his recent visit to Leeds, meeting patients in the garden of St Gemma's Hospice, went viral.
This week, the veteran of 53 races in four countries has been admired by racegoers on the Knavesmire. "I have seen him in his new role at York, watching the sprinters go by the finishing post," his former trainer Robert Cowell said.
"It totally surprised me. He was a five furlong rocket, going from zero to top speed in a few seconds. The charity has done an amazing job with him."
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Pam and Kevin Atkinson set up New Beginnings in 2010, with the aim of retraining and rehoming ex-racers. Currently they have 30 thoroughbreds in their care, including 66-1 Cheltenham Festival winner Mister McGoldrick.
Equine team members are given time to acclimatise before employees go back to basics, doing ground work and building up their paces again. "Goldream, who we call Remy, is showing the world how adaptable racehorses can be in their retirement," Pam said.
"He is an intuitive and sensitive horse, who does everything we ask of him. He will stand and watch the horses galloping past when we take him to the track."
A widely-shared social media video showed 14-year-old Goldream keeping an eye on this week's action on the Knavesmire. At his peak, he was quick enough to win the 2015 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. Cowell's charge finished fifth in that year's Nunthorpe, a race which provided the feelgood story of this week's four-day event.
Live In The Dream led all the way under Group One debutant Sean Kirrane, while it was also a career high for Adam West, a trainer with just 46 horses.
Goldream winning the 2015 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2015 (Getty)Goldream was appointed York Racecourse's equine ambassador in 2022 and continues to raise the profile of New Beginnings, which costs £250,000 every year to run.
"Everything has gone up, so funding is a constant worry. Our 'Friends of New Beginnings' group have helped us stay afloat," added Pam.
"I always say if everyone who pays £6.50 for a pint on a racecourse gave us £1 of that it would really help! We never stop trying – as we have seen with Goldream, racehorses are amazing. When people appreciate what they can do, it makes us very proud."