Shirley and Anthony Camilleri celebrated a thrilling victory on February 15th at Fair Grounds in New Orleans alongside an Ontario-bred horse.
Reason To Dream, a fittingly named four-year-old offspring of Old Forester and Dreamy Moonlite by Dance to Destiny, displayed remarkable determination as he triumphed in a maiden special weight race over 6 furlongs on the dirt track. Representing the Camilleris' CamHaven Farms and under the guidance of trainer Steve Flint, the chestnut horse took the lead early in the $57,000 contest, ultimately clinching the win by a narrow margin in a swift 1:10.46, with jockey Mitchell Murrill in the saddle. Despite being a relative newcomer, Reason to Dream defied the odds at 27-to-1, much to the delight of his backers.
This victory marked CamHaven's second notable success since their arrival at Fair Grounds, following an earlier win that was later overturned due to disqualification in a maiden special weight event in December 2023.
Dreamy Moonlite, the dam of Reason to Dream, saw her first offspring make an impressive racing debut. The mare had a successful career, winning four out of 15 races and achieving stakes placements three times. Retiring in late 2014 after accumulating earnings exceeding $256,000, Dreamy Moonlite has now passed the baton to her promising progeny.
Situated in Caledon, CamHaven stands as a diverse training and equine rehabilitation establishment. Previously known as Malta Manors, the stable underwent a rebranding under the Camilleris' leadership last year, reflecting their commitment to excellence in horse racing.