Secret Number takes the Listed Stand Cup

Son of Raven’s Pass moves one step closer to the Melbourne Cup with convincing win at Chester

Secret Number, a five-year-old son of Raven's Pass, made a winning return to the racecourse on 12 September when landing the Listed Stand Cup, run over 12 furlongs at Chester.

Settled just off the pace under James Doyle, Saeed bin Suroor’s charge responded well once asked to quicken and outbattled long-time leader Lustrous to win by a neck. 

This was Secret Number’s third Stakes win, following his victory in the G3 Cumberland Lodge Stakes in 2013, the same year he landed the Listed Al Bastakiya at Meydan. Last year he was second to subsequent Dubai World Cup winner Prince Bishop (Dubawi). He could now head to Australia for a tilt at the Melbourne Cup.

Secret Number is out of the Alleged mare Mysterial, making him a half-brother to G1 winners Dubai Destination and Librettist.

Raven’s Pass has been enjoying a successful spell of late, siring five juvenile winners since the start of the month. He is also sire this year of Group-winning duo Malabar and Kataniya, plus today’s G2 Champagne Stakes second Ibn Malik.