Secretariat

Secretariat. An American Thoroughbred racehorse and one of the most celebrated athletes in sports history, he is widely considered the greatest racehorse of the 20th century. Owned by Meadow Stable and trained by Lucien Laurin, he became the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years, setting speed records in the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes that still stand. His extraordinary career, powerful physique, and charismatic presence left an indelible mark on American culture and the sport of kings.

Early life and pedigree

He was foaled on March 30, 1970, at The Meadow in Caroline County, Virginia, the breeding farm of his owner, Christopher Chenery. He was sired by Bold Ruler, the preeminent sire of his era and an eight-time leading sire in North America, and was out of the mare Somethingroyal. His breeding was orchestrated as part of a foal-sharing agreement between Meadow Stud and Ogden Phipps. As a yearling, he was noted for his exceptional size, balanced conformation, and a vibrant chestnut coat with three white socks and a star. He was initially given the nickname "Big Red," a moniker previously held by the great Man o' War.

Racing career

He began his racing career as a two-year-old in 1972, winning seven of his nine starts. His early victories included the Sanford Stakes, the Hopeful Stakes, and the Futurity Stakes. His only significant defeat that year came in the Champagne Stakes, where he was disqualified for interference, a controversial decision by the The Jockey Club stewards. He rebounded to win the Laurel Futurity and the Garden State Stakes, clinching the 2-Year-Old Champion title and being unanimously voted the Horse of the Year award, a rare feat for a juvenile.

Triple Crown victory

His three-year-old season in 1973 produced one of the most dominant performances in sporting history. He won the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a still-standing track record time of 1:59 2/5, the first horse to break two minutes at the Derby. Two weeks later, he won the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course, though the official time was disputed for decades. The crowning achievement came in the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, where he won by an astonishing 31 lengths, setting a world record time of 2:24 for 1.5 miles. This victory ended a 25-year Triple Crown drought and secured his legendary status.

Racing style and legacy

He was renowned for his explosive acceleration, immense stride length, and incredible stamina. His running style, guided by jockey Ron Turcotte, often involved laying off the early pace before unleashing a powerful move on the final turn. His physicality was studied extensively; his heart, estimated to weigh approximately 22 pounds, was a subject of fascination and was believed to be a key to his endurance. Beyond his Triple Crown records, he also won major races like the Marlboro Cup, defeating his older rival Riva Ridge, and the Canadian International Stakes on turf at Woodbine Racetrack.

Retirement, stud career and death

He was retired to stud at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky in late 1973. While his stud career was solid, he did not quite match his own racing brilliance as a sire. He sired several notable stakes winners, including Lady's Secret, the 1986 Horse of the Year, and Risen Star, who won the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. He died on October 4, 1989, from laminitis. A necropsy confirmed the remarkable size of his heart. He is buried at Claiborne Farm, where his grave site remains a destination for fans.

Honors and popular culture

His honors are numerous, including induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1974. In 1999, ESPN ranked him the 35th greatest North American athlete of the 20th century. His image appears on commemorative United States Postal Service stamps. The 2010 Walt Disney Pictures film Secretariat, starring Diane Lane and John Malkovich, dramatized his story. His name and achievements are routinely invoked in discussions of sporting greatness, and his Triple Crown trophies are displayed at the Kentucky Derby Museum. Category:Thoroughbred racehorses Category:American racehorses Category:Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing winners