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Adam West is already dreaming of a return to the Breeders’ Cup next year following Live In The Dream's brave effort in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita.

The Adam West-trained speedster has proved an absolute revelation in 2023, creating a remarkable shock when an all-the-way winner of the Nunthorpe at York in August. That summer success on the Knavesmire meant connections could have a tilt at America's premier turf sprint, with Live In The Dream starting his American campaign in pleasing fashion by finishing fourth in a Grade 2 at Keeneland in October.

That promising initial effort across the pond meant hopes were high heading into the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint last weekend and although Live In The Dream was unable to return with a podium finish, the four-year-old certainly proved he could mix it with the best sprinters either side of the Atlantic.

The gelded son of Prince Of Lir showed blistering pace to lead up for the majority of the five-furlong Grade 1 contest, but he paid the price for those early fractions late on and faded into fourth.

With both West and Live In The Dream back on home soil, the trainer was happy to report the horse to be in good shape following his American journey.

West said: "I got home late last night and so did the horse,"

"He almost ran away with me this morning, so he's obviously feeling good."

He added: "We put our best plan forward to give him every chance and I think we had him spot-on, but he just got a bit buzzy and ran a tiny bit free and that's ultimately cost him.

"The day he won the Nunthorpe, there was a huge atmosphere, but Keeneland and the Breeders' Cup are even bigger. It's a lot more intense at Santa Anita and I think that just saw him go a stride too quick into the bend and that was it really.

"As he matures next year, I think he'll settle into those big events a bit better. He was taking on the best of the best and we look forward to working back from the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar next year."

Looking ahead to 2024, West confirmed a trip to Dubai will not be on the cards and instead Live In The Dream will go for a well-deserved break before returning to action next season.

He said: "I've spoken to Steve about ambitions, and he'll get a nice, long holiday now and we'll probably start off a bit later next year.

"Ultimately, the main aim will be to defend the Nunthorpe title, but we might take in some other options internationally as well.

"We've got this lovely horse, and we want to take in as much as we can and get those experiences – and that he can provide us."