If you’re reading this, you may already think that Secretariat was the greatest horse of all time. I’ve read things about him over and over again and I never tire of learning things about him.
What an amazing athlete. I don’t believe there will EVER be another horse like him.
The Owner
Secretariat’s owner was a lady named Penny Chenery-Tweedy. Penny’s tenacity and never quit attitude is the force that opened the doors for Secretariat and collected the team to nurture the horse along to greatness. She was an amazing woman who believed in Secretariat.
Her father owned the farm where Secretariat was born and she took over at the passing of her parents. Let’s not forget that the story of Secretariat took place in the early 1970s and in the sport of horse racing – It was a mans world to say the least. In 1983, Penny, along with two others, became the first women to be admitted as members of The Jockey Club and in In 2003 the Arlington Park track established the annual “Penny Chenery Distinguished Woman in Racing Award.”
The Two Jocks
Secretariat’s jockey during his Maiden and Maiden win / break races was Paul Feliciano. Paul rode Secretariat to a fourth place in his maiden race and to a victorious first in his second.
Ron Turcotte, who would ride Secretariat throughout the rest of his career, joined the Secretariat crew for Big Red’s third race on July 31, 1972.
As an apprentice jockey, Turcotte rode Northern Dancer to his first victory – from there Northern Dancer would become the most successful sire of the 20th Century.
The Derby
In his famous Kentucky Derby win, Secretariat ran faster every ¼ mile down the track. This was unusual as most horses run fastest at the beginning, then slow as they tire throughout the race. His Derby time is still the fastest time on record at Churchill Downs at a smoking 1:59.97.
The Belmont
09 Jun 1973, Elmont, New York, USA — The field is so far behind, jockey Ron Turcotte has to turn in the saddle to look for it as he guides Secretariat to victory in the Belmont Stakes. — Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS
The Belmont Glory and the Look Back are two of the most famous images in all of horse racing. They were taken as Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes. This win stands as one of the greatest victories in all of sports history.
Secretariat blasted out of the gate and surged to greater and greater speeds down the track to win the race by an amazing 31 lengths in an amazing 2:24.00. These are both track records to this day. To put this win in perspective, the greatest win margin at the Kentucky Derby is only 8 lengths and at the Preakness it is only 11 and a quarter.
The Triple Crown Victory
The Triple Crown, racing’s most elite set of victories, is comprised of winning the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes all within 5 weeks. Secretariat was the 9th winner. The amazing part is there was a 25 year gap between Secretariat and Citation, who won in 1948. Many people had started to believe that a Triple Crown victory was no longer possible for a horse until Secretariat smashed that belief, followed shortly after by Seattle Slew and Affirmed.
The Passing
Secretariat passed away on October 4th, 1989 at the young age of 19, by euthanasia because of chronic Laminitis. He is one of the few racehorses to be buried whole – usually only the head, the heart, and the hooves of winning race horses are buried. During the necropsy, he was found to have an extremely large heart, an estimated 22 pounds, which is almost three times the size of a normal horse which averages 8 pounds.
What an amazing horse and an amazing legacy. I will always think of him.
Source: Secretariat.com
Blessings to you!
Charity
To this day, I love ❤️ Secretariat!! An amazing horse & team that believed in him!! Wonderful memories!!
Yes, everything about that horse was phenomenal. I was 12 when he won the Belmont Stakes. I still feel today what I felt then every time I think of him.
My son in Florida owns a 5th generation of Secretariat.
We also have a 5th generation gelding born in Kentucky bred 3-5-05 looks and has Secretariat personality! His best race was 3rd place lol he was to lazy to run. We love him, his name is “My Dish” we call him Santana. His sire: Include, Dam: My Private. He’s definitely a good and fun special guy! Has won some purse cash but still he’s a very good boy! Secretariat was and will always be the worlds best and all time racehorse there’s no other horse like him and I don’t think any can come close. Great legend in his time! Greatly missed and also Miss Penny! Both in heaven together! Miss Penny and Big Red! Rip!🙏🐴
I was fortunate enough to see Secretariat win the Belmont! I was 18 at the time. My parents both raised and trained horses, so a love of them was instilled early. Unfortunately, I cannot ride anymore because of hip implants but my love for these beautiful animals will always remain. Secretariat was certainly one in a million!
Likewise I was 18 in 1973. I saw him win the Kentucky Derby. Our seats were st the starting gate . I never seen a horse run that last 1/4 ever. After winning the Preakness I told my parents him will win The Triple Crown . They both said no horse done that in 25 years and won’t be another one. I live in Lexington, Ky. A I remember Citation at Calumet Farm. Remarkable as it is the 46 years since he did this with all 3 races in record time that still stands. He only horse in history of the Kentuvky Derby to run the 1/4 mile faster than the previous 1/4 mile.
You didn’t have to love horses to fall for Big Red, but it didn’t hurt. The appreciation for all of his physical beauty came easily, but the appreciation of what this big,beautiful Red machine could do came from knowledge. The inside of this great animal made him the phenomenon that he was and not one moment did you forget those stats!!! Just to watch him breathe was excitement and to see him close up and personal would take Your breath away. So happy that Penny Tweedy fell just as hard for him as any one of his multitude of fans. It was a loving relationship for all of us and still is an ongoing love affair that has no end. As we pay our respects for the life that we honor in this lovely woman who loved a magnificent animal and just happened to own him. We can only share so much of that total commitment she had for Secretariat in our lifetimes. The one total joy that we all share in the ongoing of Miss Penny, is that she knew of the love we all carry for her horse, her legacy and her dedication to his memory and now hers. We remember them both and that love endures beyond that of Secretariat as well as the woman we honor and who loved him as we all did. God bless you Penny Tweedy, and may you rest in the knowledge that God Himself took great joy in the horse that He built. Thank you for sharing him with us. Rest in peace.
My girl is Lady Big Money with Secretariat being her great great Grandaughter on both sides Sire and Mare. Big, bold and red. Because Penny Cheney-Tweedy achieved her dream, made it possible for my dream. I admire both Secretariat and her. Thank you.
Secretariats record winning Kentucky Derby time is actually 1:59.4. Not 1:59.97 as stated in the article. It was Monarchos who ran the Derby in 1:59.97 in 2001.
Thank you for that correction! After a few days, I will change it in the article.
I loved this horse watched his triple crown I still love horses it makes me feel to watch them race he was the greatest and their will never be another one like him
He was the greatest I loved him there will never be another one like him
Penny loved Secretariat and knew from the beginning that he was special and he proved over and over what a great horse he was in all his races. I have always admired Penny’s determination to show everyone in the racing circuit just what a great athlete Secretariat had become. May they both rest in peace now that they are together again.
You are mistaken about Ron Turcotte riding him the rest of his career.His last race was the Canadian International and Ron had days so he was ridden by Eddie Maple .
Thank you so much for the clarification.
Loved this grand champion. Loved the movie of his life and Ms. Chaney’s strong stand and faith in this beautiful horse. What a beauty and strong horse.. loved him
He was the kind of horse that would change your life just by watching him.
Charity