The Oaks Stud has this week announced a new addition for 2009, with Sakhee's Secret confirmed to join Darci Brahma, Spartacus, Bachelor Duke and Keeninsky in standing at the stud.
Sakhee's Secret was Europe's champion sprinter of 2007 and the top-rated colt in the world turf sprint rankings.
It was June 2008, that Rick Williams (manager of The Oaks) was in the UK with top mare Seachange and first became interested in standing Sakhee's Secret. “He was the best looking racehorse I saw while in England and Ireland. Big and strong! A beautifully relaxed horse with a great temperament and a lovely walk.” Rick Williams
Well aware of the horse's impressive credentials, an enquiry was made by Williams to see if the horse was for sale. The answer was no. Britain's Whitsbury Manor Stud had negotiations to buy the horse near completion. However the enquiry was not in vain, and in October 2008 an offer to purchase equity and southern hemisphere standing rights was made available.
A syndicate including some of New Zealand's top breeders quickly joined together to purchase equity and secure the Southern Hemisphere rights to the horse. These shareholders include: Sir Patrick & Lady Justine Hogan (Cambridge Stud), Peter & Philip Vela (Pencarrow Sud), Kevin & Joanna Hickman (Valachi Downs), Scott Williams & Partners, Tom Jamison and The Oaks Stud.
Sakhee's Secret race record includes five wins and two placings from his 11 starts. A winner at two by six lengths, the colt strung together four consecutive wins at three years. These included two impressive performances in listed company winning by wide margins and in very quick times, before stepping up to take out Europe's most prestigious sprint - the Gr.1 July Cup.
Sakhee's Secret made the massive leap from a listed class winner to group one winner in one single bound. A feat made more special given that he was a relatively inexperienced three-year-old taking on the world's top performers. “He's a youngster and an inexperienced one against veterans, lucky enough he had the guns for them,” said jockey Steve Drowne.
Sakhee's Secret's 2007 July Cup field included 17 challengers from Britain, Australia, South Africa, France, Ireland & Germany – these included six individual Group One winners, with a total of 28 Group victories amassed by the field.
"Any victory like Sakhee's Secret's sends shivers down your spine," said his trainer Hughie Morrison.
Racing Post paid Sakhee's Secret a huge compliment when declaring him as 'one of the outstanding sprinters of recent years and right up with the likes of Stravinsky, Mozart and Oasis Dream.'
Sakhee's Secret was rated 128 by Timeform , placing him ahead of star Australian sprinters Miss Andretti (127) and Takeover Target (126).
Sakhee's Secret was retired to Whitsbury Manor Stud after suffering muscle injuries in the Gr I Nunthorpe Stakes at Newmarket.
He is by the Bahri stallion Sahkee, a world champion racehorse that was rated 136 by Timeform. Sahkee's top performances include a win in the Gr.1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe by 6 lengths and another in the Gr.1 Yorke Juddmonte International Stakes winning by 7 lengths.
Sakhee's Secret's dam Palace Street (by Secreto) was herself a very smart sprinter-miler, competing 19 of her 22 starts in group or listed company. She hails from a speedy family that includes another July Cup winner – the Champion Sprinter and Successful Sire Stravinsky.
Sakhee's Secret will stand at The Oaks in 2009 for $15,000 plus GST.
, placing him ahead of star Australian sprinters Miss Andretti (127) and Takeover Target (126).