In 1986, four-year-old “Lady’s Secret” won 10 of her 15 starts and earned $1,871,053. Owned by San Diego racing enthusiasts Mr. and Mrs. Eugene V. Klein, all of Lady’s Secret’s victories were in graded stakes
including eight Grade 1 wins: the La Canada, Santa Margarita Invitational, Shuvee, Whitney, Maskette (running a mile in 1:33, setting a record for a filly or mare at Belmont Park), Ruffian (by eight lengths under 129 pounds), Beldame and Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Lady’s Secret’s eight Grade 1 wins established a record for the most in a single year since the grading of races began in
1973.
During her remarkable 1986 season, Lady’s Secret – the daughter of Triple Crown winner “Secretariat” – defeated males four times, including the Whitney Handicap, in which she became the first filly or mare to win the race
since Gallorette in 1948. Nicknamed the “Iron Lady,” Lady’s Secret concluded her season with a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita to wrap up the Eclipse Awards for Horse of the Year and Champion Older Female.
This lot features her “Horse of the Year” trophy which was crafted by noted artist Cindy Wolf. Born in San Francisco, Wolf is a life-long horsewoman and is known for her expressive depictions of horses, capturing dynamic movement in bronze as well as silver.
The offered trophy shows Lady’s Secret, ridden by jockey Pat Day, in full stride during her momentous ’86 season. The sculpted trophy stretches 15.5 inches tall and features a silver metal horse and bronze jockey mounted
on a 22” wide wooden base filled with a white marble slab that measures 20.5” wide by seven inches deep and three quarters of an inch thick. The front of the wooden base boasts an engraved gold plaque that reads: “LADY’S SECRET 1986 Horse of the Year, Cindy Wolf.” The marble slab shows three different cracks in it, although the trophy still displays intact. The hefty piece weighs an impressive 38 pounds.
Includes Letter of Provenance from the San Diego Hall of Champions.