Desert Vision (GB)

Desert Vision was a regally bred gelding, bred by Gainsborough Stud. His sire was multiple Group winner Alhaarth, and his dam was Listed winner Fragrant Oasis. Desert Vision was unraced by Mark Johnston and he came to us in 2007, to run in the colours of Alan Black and partners, a partnership that included the well-known snooker and billiards player Ray Edmonds. Coincidentally two days before Desert Vision made his debut, Desert Vision's half brother, a chestnut colt arrived at the yard. His half brother was to become Nayessence.

Desert Vision started out in bumpers, winning at Musselburgh in 2008, but he had the speed for the flat. Switching codes, he ran creditably on the polytrack at Wolverhampton without winning, but a second placed effort at the end of 2008 earned him a considerable handicap mark of 79.

It was November 2009 before Desert Vision scored on the flat. Robert Winston was the jockey as the first time blinkers worked their magic, and a fortnight later Oliver Greenall made it two in a row. Later in December Phillip Makin steered the gelding home again at Wolverhampton and the form of his final five races of 2009 read 11212.

Racing at Doncaster in April 2010 Desert Vision was rated at 86 as the successes previously had seen him hiked 26 pounds. It was 2011 before Desert Vision won again, Jimmy Sullivan scoring at Carlisle. Oliver Greenall took the ride next time out, where the double was completed at Nottingham over ten furlongs. A three length winning margin saw the pair cross the line unchallenged.

Desert Vision scored twice in claimers as 2012 drew to a close, both at his favourite Dunstall Park, with Jimmy Sullivan and Graham Gibbons the winning riders. In January 2013 Graham Gibbons was successful again on the gelding, this time in handicap company defying a rising mark of 82.

The following month Desert Vision returned to Wolverhampton under the lights, with just three rivals to beat to take his winning tally to double figures, odds 1/4 suggesting he was likely to succeed. Cruising three furlongs out disaster struck, as the horse stumbled and unseated his rider, Desert Vision breaking a leg the injury proving sadly to be fatal.

A nine times winner in 49 starts, Desert Vision won over £30,000 in prizemoney in a career that spanned seven years.