HIS ABILITY IS NO SECRET

Those who were privileged to witness his ruthless demolition of the country's best milers at Kolkata will say: very very good indeed, and perhaps still on the upgrade, for he is a late foal, having made his appearance in a foaling barn at Pune's famed Manjri Stud in June of 2003. The chestnut son of the highly successful Diffident boasts an illustrious lineage, so it's no surprise that he has demonstrated talent of the highest order.

The renowned family of Montem to which he traces originated at Lord Rosebery's Ment-more Stud in England, which came into the latter's possession following his marriage to Hannah de Rothschild. From one branch descend 2000 Guineas winners Ellangowan (in 1923) and Colombo (in 1934); another came up with Plack (1000 Guineas of 1924) and the Bhopal Stud stalwart, Babbanio, while a third produced Sweet Solera (1000 Guineas and Oaks of 1961). It is this last-named who provided the link that leads to Secret Memory in the shape of her fourth foal, Bon Appetit (by the miler Major Portion), who used her brilliant acceleration to win the Prix Vanteaux, Gr.3, in France in the Wildenstein silks. Retired to stud, she was bred to an eclectic mix of sires, failing to come up with a stakes winner, but providing some vital links: Group-placed Batave produced the hard-knocking miler Bigstone (by Last Tycoon), successful in the Sussex Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Prix de la Foret, all Group 1 events. As a stallion, he became a globe-trotter, having had stints in Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Japan before reportedly winding up in China.

Another daughter, Blithe Spirit, bred Group winner Bon Vent (by Super Concorde), but it is her earlier daughter Battledress (by the stamina-laden Run The Gantlet) who came up with the talented Roberto's Fighter, by Epsom Derby winner Roberto. Racing for Alan Clore, the out-and-out stayer scored thrice and placed 2nd in France's longest flat race, the 4000 m. Prix Gladiateur, Gr.3, before being acquired for the Manjri Stud as a filly out of training.

Her first offspring in India, the ill-fated Kilimanjaro (by Bolder Than Bold) ran second at her only start, and was followed by Dramatic Irony (by Trojan Fen), a solid stayer who won the Suresh Mahindra Northumberland Trophy over 3200 m. and placed in the Indian Oaks, Gr.1

At stud, Dramatic Irony has excelled with leading 3-y-o filly of 2000/2001 Memories Of You (by Don't Forget Me), who was victorious in the Breeders Produce Stakes, Gr.2, and the Manjri Stud Breeders Juvenile Fillies Championship, Gr.3, and then with champion stayer Aperitivo (like Secret Memory, a son of Diffident) whose recent success in the Olympia Technology Park Stayers Cup, Gr.1, was his 14th trip to the winner's circle and pushed his earnings to Rs.1,01,72,975. Nor are a couple of Dramatic Irony's other progeny Star Phoenix (7 wins and Rs.9,67,670) and Dramatikos (3 consecutive wins) devoid of talent, and she herself has a 2-y-o filly by Senure in training.