Secretariat is one of the most famous racehorses in history, known for his speed, power, and dominance on the track. Born in 1970, he quickly made a name for himself as a two-year-old, winning seven of his nine races and earning the title of Horse of the Year. However, it was his three-year-old season that cemented his place in history, as he won the Triple Crown and set records that still stand today.
Early Life and Training
Secretariat was born on March 30, 1970, at Meadow Farm in Virginia. His sire was Bold Ruler, a famous racehorse who had won the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes in 1957. Secretariat’s dam was Somethingroyal, a mare who had produced several other successful racehorses.
As a foal, Secretariat was nicknamed “Big Red” because of his size and chestnut coloring. He was sold at auction for a then-record price of $1.5 million to Penny Chenery, who owned Meadow Farm.
Secretariat was trained by Lucien Laurin, a veteran trainer who had previously won the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. Laurin recognized Secretariat’s potential and worked to develop his strength and stamina through a rigorous training program.
Two-Year-Old Season
Secretariat made his racing debut on July 4, 1972, at Aqueduct Racetrack in New York. He won the race by four and a half lengths, setting a track record for the distance. He then went on to win his next two races, including the Sanford Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.
Secretariat suffered his first defeat in the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga, finishing third behind two other horses. However, he quickly bounced back and won his next four races, including the Futurity Stakes at Belmont Park.
By the end of his two-year-old season, Secretariat had won seven of his nine races and had earned $580,000 in prize money. He was named Horse of the Year, becoming the first two-year-old to receive the honor.
Three-Year-Old Season
Secretariat’s three-year-old season began with high expectations, as many believed he had the potential to win the Triple Crown. He won his first two races, including the Bay Shore Stakes at Aqueduct, before heading to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby.
At the Kentucky Derby, Secretariat started as the favorite and did not disappoint. He took the lead early in the race and never looked back, winning by two and a half lengths and setting a new track record for the distance. His time of 1:59 2/5 remains the fastest ever recorded for the Kentucky Derby.
Secretariat then went on to win the Preakness Stakes two weeks later, again setting a new track record for the distance. He won by two and a half lengths, but it was his performance in the Belmont Stakes that would go down in history.
The Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is the longest and most grueling of the three Triple Crown races, with a distance of 1 1/2 miles. Secretariat’s main rival in the race was Sham, a talented three-year-old who had finished second in both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.
However, Secretariat was not to be denied. He took the lead early in the race and never looked back, pulling away from the field with every stride. By the time he crossed the finish line, he had won by an incredible 31 lengths, setting a new world record for the distance with a time of 2:24. His performance in the Belmont Stakes is widely regarded as one of the greatest feats in the history of horse racing.
Retirement and Legacy
After the Belmont Stakes, Secretariat became a national celebrity. He appeared on the cover of Time magazine, and his story was turned into a hit movie, “Secretariat,” in 2010. However, his racing career was far from over.
Secretariat went on to win several more races, including the Arlington Invitational and the Marlboro Cup. He was named Horse of the Year again in 1973, becoming the first horse to win the award twice. He retired from racing at the end of the year and was sent to stud at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky.
Secretariat’s legacy as one of the greatest racehorses of all time is secure. He won 16 of his 21 career races and earned more than $1.3 million in prize money. He still holds the records for the fastest times in the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. He was also a beloved figure, known for his friendly and outgoing personality.
Secretariat died in 1989 at the age of 19. He was buried at Claiborne Farm, and a statue of him was erected at Belmont Park in his honor. His name lives on as a symbol of greatness, both on the track and off.
