Pride’s Secret Threat: 1982 World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse
Pride’s Secret Threat (#773242), a bay stallion with an unparalleled career, made history as the 1982 World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse. Trained and ridden by the legendary Billy Gray, Pride’s Secret Threat became the first horse in the 43-year history of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration to win World Grand Championships as a two-, three-, four-, and five-year-old, a record that remains a benchmark of excellence.
Pedigree and Early Life
Foaled on March 26, 1977, at C. A. Bobo & Sons Stables in Shelbyville, Tennessee, Pride’s Secret Threat was sired by Pride of Midnight, one of the most influential sires in Tennessee Walking Horse history, and out of Triple Threat Rose, a mare whose lineage added depth to his pedigree.
From the beginning, Pride’s Secret Threat showed promise. When he went under saddle at Bobo Stables, he caught the eye of Billy Gray, who helped negotiate his purchase by Billy Hale of Gallatin, Tennessee. This marked the start of a career that would redefine the standards of excellence in the Walking Horse industry.
Career Highlights
1979: Two-Year-Old World Grand Champion
- Pride’s Secret Threat began his career with a victory at the National Trainers Show in 1979, ridden by Billy Gray.
- Despite a reserve tie in the preliminary class at the Celebration, the pair came back strongly to win the Two-Year-Old World Grand Championship, launching their undefeated streak.
1980: Three-Year-Old World Grand Champion
- After winning the Three-Year-Old Stallion Championship at the 1980 Trainers Show, Pride’s Secret Threat was sold to Sand Creek Ranch for a record-setting $125,000—the highest price ever paid for a three-year-old at that time.
- Under joint ownership by Billy Gray and the California group, Secret Threat continued his undefeated season, winning both the preliminary class and the Three-Year-Old Championship Stake at the Celebration.
1981: Four-Year-Old World Grand Champion
- In 1981, Secret Threat dominated the show circuit, remaining undefeated with wins in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and at shows in Gallatin, Joelton, Bethesda, and Belfast, Tennessee.
- Despite a disappointing preliminary round at the Celebration, Billy Gray and Pride’s Secret Threat delivered one of their greatest performances, earning a unanimous decision to win the Junior World Grand Championship as a four-year-old.
1982: World Grand Champion
- In 1982, Billy Gray boldly announced his intention to campaign Pride’s Secret Threat for the World Grand Championship, declaring it would be the horse’s final season before retirement to stud.
- On Saturday night, September 4, 1982, Pride’s Secret Threat made history by sweeping the judges’ cards to win the World Grand Championship, completing an unprecedented streak of victories across all age divisions.
- The victory pass, with the Floral Horseshoe and ribbons, marked the culmination of a career that had redefined the standards of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry.
Legacy as a Sire
Following his historic win, Pride’s Secret Threat was retired to stud, fulfilling Billy Gray’s vision of contributing “new blood” to the Walking Horse industry. His exceptional conformation, gait, and temperament made him a highly sought-after sire.
- By the time of his untimely death, Pride’s Secret Threat had already sired 167 colts, many of which carried his legacy forward.
- His first crop of weanlings displayed the promise of continuing their sire’s greatness, and his breeding court was booked with mares that had world champion titles.
Tragic End
Later in 1982, Pride’s Secret Threat died suddenly of Colitis X, a devastating illness that cut short what could have been an even greater legacy as a sire. His death was a significant loss to the Walking Horse industry, which had only begun to see the impact of his progeny.
Billy Gray’s Reflections
Billy Gray, who had also trained and ridden the 1973 World Grand Champion Delight Bumin Around, regarded Pride’s Secret Threat as the greatest horse he had ever worked with. In his words:
“He’s by far the greatest horse I’ve ever had anything to do with. He’s everything you want in a stake horse; he’s everything you want in a sire.”
Key Characteristics
- Color: Bay with exceptional conformation.
- Gait: Smooth, powerful, and consistent—a hallmark of the Tennessee Walking Horse breed.
- Temperament: Intelligent, trainable, and charismatic, making him a standout both in the show ring and as a sire.
Historic Achievements
- 1979 Two-Year-Old World Grand Champion
- 1980 Three-Year-Old World Grand Champion
- 1981 Junior World Grand Champion (Four-Year-Old)
- 1982 World Grand Champion
Pride’s Secret Threat’s record of winning World Grand Championships across all age divisions remains unmatched, a testament to his extraordinary talent, training, and partnership with Billy Gray.
Legacy
Though his life was tragically cut short, Pride’s Secret Threat left an indelible mark on the Tennessee Walking Horse industry. His historic victories and promising progeny ensured that his influence would endure, inspiring future generations of trainers, riders, and breeders.
