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Unbeaten Secret Of Life enhances reputation in Coral Distaff
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sat 4 Jul 2026
Secret Of Life enhanced both her reputation and unbeaten record with an impressive victory in the Coral Distaff at Sandown.
Stepping up to Listed level after two stylish victories at a lower grade, the 2-1 favourite took the rise in class in her stride under a positive Rossa Ryan ride, coming home two-and-three-quarter lengths clear of Tom Clover’s Silenciosa.
It was a performance that delighted trainer Ralph Beckett, who can now look forward to even bigger days with the daughter of Pinatubo.
Beckett said: “She’s a smart filly we think and she’s a big girl who we’ve had to mind a little bit. She won her maiden and then ran into a little glitch so we’ve had to wait for this year and it’s only really in the last three weeks she’s properly filled her frame.
“She’s uncomplicated and we didn’t plan on making the running but they let Rossa walk the dog as the Australians and Americans say and that helped.
“She was the best filly on the day I’m sure and we’ll now have a think about what we do next. The owners won the Oak Tree at Goodwood last year with Saqqara Sands but I don’t think going back to seven around Goodwood would suit this filly, she’s a big old girl and might even get further than this.
“We’ll work back from the autumn but it’s a nice problem to have, she’s a smart filly.”
Roger Varian’s Indalo has been threatening to land a valuable pot and finally got his day in the sun when a half-length winner of the Coral Challenge.
Sent off the 9-4 favourite after finishing third in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot most recently, the mount of Ray Dawson came home powerfully for what was a fifth career success.
Varian said: “I’m so pleased to get him to win a race like this as he has a lovely team of owners and when you go close in a Cambridgeshire and close in a Hunt Cup you can’t say he hasn’t deserved one.
“We’ve had a few plans and nearly pulled them off, but thankfully we’ve won this one.
“He’s very talented and very consistent and he looked a bit awkward in the straight but I think it was just a case of finding a bit of room and keeping momentum up at the same time.
“He’s probably the most genuine horse in training, but he’s not the easiest at home and with a slow to medium canter he always wants to go a stride quicker. His rider at home does a great job at keeping him in check.
“I think he’s in the mile handicap at Goodwood (Golden Mile) and then we could look at the Cambridgeshire again later in the year. I just hope he keeps progressing as this time last year he was winning a class four here so he’s come a long way in 12 months.
“He’s a lovely horse and hopefully there’s some more big days in him.”
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