Antiguo Secreto Made Gato Sessa Shout ‘Goal’ Down the Palermo Straight

With Andrea Marinhas in the irons, the Angiolo colt scored a narrow victory in the Listed Clásico Guillermo Paats

Antiguo Secreto Became a Stakes Winner at Palermo / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

After hanging up his gloves at the end of a stellar soccer career, Gastón Sessa found a new passion in horses and racing to ease the always difficult transition into retirement. He founded Haras Sauce Grande, and from there enjoys life to the fullest, far from goalposts and penalty areas.

With the support of Andrea and Juan José Marinhas, the “Gato” celebrated a special milestone on Monday at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, earning his first stakes victory thanks to Antiguo Secreto, who captured the Listed Guillermo Paats over 1000 meters on the main dirt track.

It was also the second stakes win in just four days for the team behind Stud Chichín, the historic La Plata silks once carried by champion Ixal (Intérprete). On Friday, they won the Handicap Roy at San Isidro with Save Your Tears (Full Mast).

In this part of the season, when most 2-year-olds have defined whether they are sprinters or continue the selective process towards longer distances, the Angiolo colt confirmed his talent after finishing second to La Bella Otero (Daddy Long Legs) in the G3 Clásico General Lavalle, having previously won two condition races at La Plata.

With Andrea Marinhas aboard, Antiguo Secreto never traveled too far back and, from the 400-meter mark, engaged in a thrilling duel with favorite El Fortín (Il Campione) that was decided in the final stride, with the chestnut prevailing by a short neck. Elekto (Santillano) finished third, five lengths back, in a time of 56.70.

Bred by Haras El Paraíso, Antiguo Secreto is the fourth and best foal to date out of Intersecreta (Intérprete), who was unraced, from one of the outstanding branches of the Bambuca (Rustom Pasha) family—the same line that produced G1 winners Todo Un Amiguito (Mutakddim) and Mi Amiguito (Indygo Shiner).

Antiguo Secreto continues to establish himself as a sprinter at Palermo and looks poised to keep progressing in what is clearly his family’s specialty: pure speed.