Two stars become queens of the ring

Peace And War (Hip 32) and Secret Gesture (Hip 53) became millionaires in the ring when both were sold today at Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale.

Peace And War, in foal to America's leading sire Tapit, was knocked down for $1,450,000 to Japan's Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farms, while Secret Gesture (pictured winning last year at York) made a handsome $3,500,000 to a bid from John Ferguson, representing Sheikh Mohammed's Darley breeding operation.

Secret Gesture, who was offered to dissolve a partnership with Newsells Park Stud, was in foal to War Front.

Both mares were top-class racehorses who carried the colours of Qatar Racing. Peace And War, a daughter of War Front, won the Gr.1 Darley Alcibiades Stakes for trainer Olly Stevens, while Secret Gesture, by Galileo, was a Classic-placed winner of the Gr.2 Middleton Stakes for Ralph Beckett's yard. Second in the Gr.1 Oaks and Gr.1 Preis Der Diana, Secret Gesture was cruelly denied a Grade One win when passing the post first in last year's Beverly D. Stakes, only to be placed third by local stewards who said interference had taken place.

Today's ring appearance was a second at Keeneland for Peace And War, who was a $300,000 yearling purchase by David Redvers, while Qatar Racing bought a share in Secret Gesture from her breeders at Newsells Park Stud in the spring of her three-year-old season.

The sale started today at 11am local time (4pm in Britain), and runs through until November 20. Live screening of the event is being shown on www.keeneland.com.