Pride's Secret Threat, by Pride of Midnight and out of Triple Threat Rose, was foaled March 26, 1977, at
C. A. Bobo & Sons Stables, Shelbyville. When he went under saddle there, he caught the eye of Billy Gray who helped negotiate the purchase of the young stallion by Billy Hale of Gallatin, Tennessee.

As the property of Hale, Pride's Secret Threat started his string of victories when Billy Gray rode him to his first blue at the National Trainers Show in 1979. The pair went into The Celebration that year undefeated. Despite the reserve tie in the preliminary, they came back strongly to win the 1979 Two Year-Old World Grand Championship.

Then, after taking the Three-Year-Old Stallion Championship at the 1980 Trainers Show, Secret Threat was sold to Sand Creek Ranch for a reported $125,000, the highest price ever paid for a three-year-old. Under the joint ownership of Billy Gray and the California group, Billy continued to hold the trainer's reins as Secret Threat entered the 1980 Celebration with an undefeated season. They won both the preliminary and the Three-Year-Old Championship Stake.

Billy Gray and Secret Threat swept trough the 1981 season, again undefeated, with wins at Bowling Green, Kentucky; Gallatin, Joelton, Bethesda and Belfast, Tennessee, to go into the Celebration as a favorite four-year-old. A disappointing preliminary round for the team apparently set the stage for one of the greatest performances of their collective careers in sweeping a unanimous decision to win the Junior World Grand Championship.

"What else is there?" Billy asked, adding that Secret Threat would be retired to stud after winning the Big Stake. "It would be a great asset to the Walking Horse industry when he goes to stud," Billy said then, "The industry needs a great stud horse and new blood."

"We feel that Secret Threat is already well on his way to proving himself as a sire," Billy said after training and riding the big bay stallion to the exclusive circle of World Grand Champions.   Billy Gray is no stranger in that circle, however.  He was trainer and rider of Delight Bumin Around, 1973 World Grand Champion.

"He's by far the greatest horse I've ever had anything to do with," Billy said. "He's everything you want in a stake horse; he's everything you want in a sire."

Secret Threat died suddenly of Colitis X, later in the year, having sired 167 colts.  Sadly, the world was cheated out of rest of the outstanding progeny he would, no doubt, have produced.

----- Original Message -----
From: storm  
To: walkerswest@walkerswest.com
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2005 2:52 PM
Subject: Prides Secret Threat

In 1979 I was in middle Tennessee with a friend and her father, Bill and Kecia Wampler.  She had just purchased a mare named Red Streaker when they went on to win the 12 to 14 world grand championship the following year. But I was in the presence of greatness during that time.  Billy Gray was training Streaker and was also campaigning Threat as 2 year old.  I remember going over to the stable (Wamplers Mobile Home was on the property) and they would have Secret Threat in the cross ties, getting him ready to work him and I would walk up to him and rub his neck and talk to him... he was the sweetest stud I had ever groomed, he had wonderful manners, and was very patient.  He suddenly became a favorite of mine and I would go visit him every day while we were there on through the Celebration.
The day of the 2 year old championship I even helped them braid him up for the show... I was even more proud when I was there, sitting in the foul weather watching greatness "Strut His Stuff" and win the 2 year old championship.  And back at the show barn was given a red carnation off of his wreath and toasted his victory with a glass of champagne.  That had been many years ago and I have often thought of this wonderful stallion that won my heart.  I will always remember him

Pamelia Sparks

Hello

i am chelsea, billy gray's granddaughter. and i could not be more impressed by this article. all my life i have heard how terrific Secret was and i can tell you from a personal view that he truly meant the world to my pop. Ironically enough, my grandfather has put just as much time and effort into another great horse, Naples Ritz, and as fate seems to have it Billy, pop, will have the opportunity to carry a set of roses out 27 years later to the date that he achieved the impossible on Secret. So thanks to everyone and their thoughts you all have truly made my grandpas life.
                                                                 sincerely,
                                                                chelsea

<==1981   1983==>

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