Pearl Secret to stand at Bucklands Farm

Group 2-winning sprinter Pearl Secret will take up stud duties at Bucklands Farm and Stud in Gloucestershire for the 2017 breeding season at a fee of £4,000.

The son of Compton Place made a winning debut as a two-year-old for trainer David Barron and his owners Pearl Bloodstock in a York maiden under Jamie Spencer.

As a three-year-old, he won three times including the Listed Scurry Stakes at Sandown, and on his seasonal reappearance at four, he finished third behind Sole Power in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes.

Pearl Secret won a further three times during his career including the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock last year.

Barron said: “He was the quickest and toughest horse that I've ever trained, and with a bit more luck he would have won the Group 1 he so richly deserved. I look forward to training his offspring."

Pearl Secret was bought by the Northamptonshire-based Salcey Forest Stud team of Daniel Creighton and Josh Schwartz.

The pair said: “Pearl Secret is a gorgeous, strong horse. He was a fast, tough individual by the wonderful Compton Place and out of a black-type mare from the family of top sire Dutch Art. It's great to be able to offer a highly commercial, affordable stallion with his credentials to breeders.

“He has been purchased for owner-breeder John Dance, and Matt Eves, who was the majority owner of the Classic-winning filly Jet Setting. They're really looking forward to supporting the horse at stud and buying his progeny in the sales ring."

Roisin Close, owner and stud manager of Bucklands Farm and Stud added: “I’m delighted to stand Pearl Secret at Bucklands Farm. He is a quality, attractive individual with a top-class race record and comes from the speedy Indian Ridge sire line.

“He is the natural successor to Compton Place and offers a great option to breeders who previously supported Compton Place and had success with him."

Breeders will have a chance of winning a breeders' bonus as £5,000 will be awarded to the breeder of Pearl Secret’s first two-year-old winner, £10,000 for his first Listed winner and £15,000 for his first Group winner.

Pearl Secret will stand alongside Hellvelyn and Coach House who will both stand at a fee of £3,000.