When your sibling is a horse called PRIVATE EYE, it’s not often you’re going to be upstaging him on a Saturday afternoon. Sure, the early cancellation of the Eagle Farm meeting meant the older, Group 1 bound brother had an early mark, but KING’S SECRET showed he’s inherited at least some of the family talent in disposing of BM72 rivals at Rosehill.
The lightly raced SHALAA 3yo half-brother to our dual EVEREST placegetter, secured an inaugural Metro victory at just his 5th start, impressing both rider Andrew Adkins and trainer Joe Pride.
“Always the sign of a nice horse when they can step up sharply in grade and perform like that,” said Pride.
“Was great to see him execute so well after racing greenly earlier in his career, not wanting to properly settle when crossed.”
This was a view shared by Adkins who added, “he’s really maturing, starting to figure things out the right way and switch on as a racehorse.”
“Think he’s got a pretty positive future”, the lightweight jockey suggested.
King’s Secret looks progressive at Rosehill@PrideRacing @AndrewAdkins103 @ProvenTbreds @aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/sk5kdvIVtm
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) May 31, 2025
Adkins’ capacity to ride light, 54.5kg on this occasion, is going to really boost his opportunities especially over the winter months and allow him to put behind some of the horrendous injury misfortune he’s endured in recent seasons.
Dismissed by many for being too small, KING’S SECRET was a $100,000 Easter yearling bred and reared by Kerrie Tibby’s Goodwood Farm. As is customary for the Pride stable, the gelding has been given plenty of time to develop with the dividends now starting to flow.
Last winter Proven’s smart mare IN FLIGHT emerged with a trio of Saturday wins in the newly introduced BM72’S for 3yo & 4yos, which saw her become the biggest BOBS Bonus earner of the season. Whilst the exploits of older brother PRIVATE EYE may be a touch ambitious, KING’S SECRET may well be a contender for the heir to that BOBS throne in 2024/25!
Proven’s other runners on Saturday included LITTLE COINTREAU who ran a gallant third in the race immediately after stablemate KING’S SECRET, while at Eagle Farm the Kerry Parker-trained FLYING BANDIT ran home resolutely into seventh in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2400m) on a very heavy surface which ultimately prompted officials to postpone the remainder of the meeting a couple of races later.
KING’S SECRET is our 51st winner for the season.
