Ferguson to $3.5 Million for Secret Gesture

Secret Gesture, a group II-winning daughter of world-class sire Galileo in foal to War Front  , was bought by John Ferguson, agent for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, for $3.5 million to top the early portion of the Nov. 8 first session of Keeneland’s November breeding stock sale in Lexington.

Consigned as Hip 53 by Hunter Valley Farm, agent, the 6-year-old daughter of stakes-placed Danehill mare Shastye is from the immediate female family of group I winners Sagamix and Sagacity. In addition to winning the group II Betfred Middleton Stakes, Secret Gesture was group I placed in Great Britain, Germany, France, and the U.S.

Ferguson said Secret Gesture would likely be sent to Europe with mating plans to be determined.

"Just a lovely mare from a beautiful family," Ferguson said. "So from our point of view, she was a mare that could make the difference."

Bred by Newsells Park Stud, Secret Gesture was multiple group I placed—including a runner-up finish in the 2013 Investec Epsom Oaks (Eng-I)—and competed in the 2014 and 2015 editons of the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT), finishing fifth and seventh, respectively.

The bay mare is a full sister to group III winner Sir Isaac Newton and a half sister to stakes performer Maurus. 

"It's bittersweet really. It was a great price and she's going to a great home," said Julian Dollar, general manager of Newsells Park Stud. "She's going to be mated well. We have two daughters we own and we have the mare...so we've got the factory, if you like. And we felt like if she made enough we could afford to let her go.

"It was a commerical decision really. But she was pretty special. It's sad to let those kind go. But it was a great price."