Secretariat's Golden Anniversary: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Big Red's 1973 Triple Crown

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Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Secretariat’s Triple Crown

A Tremendous Machine: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Secretariat’s Triple Crown

Welcome

Half a century ago, during a time when the Vietnam War and Watergate scandal occupied much of the public’s consciousness, a chestnut racehorse captivated the nation when he became America’s ninth Triple Crown champion, the first to sweep the series in 25 years. Secretariat, however, was much more than an all-time great thoroughbred – he was a cultural phenomenon, transcending the sports world and becoming an icon revered in his time and marveled at ever since.

To honor the golden anniversary of Secretariat’s 1973 victories in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes — all of which were achieved in record times that remain the standard in each race — the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame proudly presents A Tremendous Machine: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Secretariat’s Triple Crown. This one-in-a-lifetime exhibition will travel the same Triple Crown path as the famed Meadow Stable colt, greeting race fans during the 2023 Triple Crown season at Churchill Downs, Pimlico Race Course, and Belmont Park, respectively, before opening at the Museum in Saratoga Springs, New York, in July.

Secretariat was the embodiment of equine greatness, one of the most spectacular and accomplished athletes in racing’s annals. It’s been 50 years since he thundered into the history books, but the story of Secretariat’s incredible achievements resonates as powerfully today as it did half a century ago. We look forward to reliving this incredible journey with you.

SEASON, 1972

Superior From the Start

In 1972, Secretariat announced his presence with authority during a juvenile season for the ages

BY Brien Bouyea Hall of Fame and Communications Director

Before he achieved immortal status in 1973 by winning the first Triple Crown in 25 years —setting records that still stand in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes en route to becoming a cultural phenomenon — Secretariat was already a superstar thanks to an extraordinary 2-year-old season.

Officially bred by Christopher Chenery’s Meadow Stud, Secretariat’s breeding was arranged by Chenery’s daughter, Penny, who took over day-

to-day operations of the stable when her father began experiencing health issues in 1968. Secretariat was a son of Bold Ruler out of the Princequillo mare Somethingroyal, who was owned by Meadow Stud. Bold Ruler, who was owned by the Phipps family, was North America’s leading sire from 1963 through 1969, and again in 1973 thanks in large part to Secretariat’s exploits. Bold Ruler stood at historic Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, but the Phipps family owned the majority of the mares to which the stallion was bred. Few were ever sold at public auction.

To infuse new blood into their breeding program, the Phipps family

on occasion negotiated foal-sharing agreements with other broodmare owners. In exchange for waving Bold Ruler’s stud fee, they arranged multiple matings with the stallion — either two mares in a year or one mare in consecutive years. On the assumption two foals were produced, the Phipps family would keep one and the mare owner would retain the other. A coin toss was used to determine who selected first. It was through such an agreement that Penny Chenery (then known as Penny Tweedy) sent two mares to be bred to Bold Ruler in 1968, Hasty Matelda and Somethingroyal. She sent Cicada and Somethingroyal to Bold Ruler in 1969. The agreement stated the winner of the coin toss would get first choice of the 1969 foals, while the loser would receive first choice in 1970.

In the spring of 1969, a colt and filly were produced from the Bold Ruler matings. In the 1969 breeding season, Cicada did not conceive, leaving only one foal due in the spring of 1970. Therefore, the winner of the coin toss would receive only one foal, the first choice in 1969, and the loser would get the second choice in 1969 and the lone foal in 1970. The coin toss was held in August 1969 in the New York Racing Association office of Alfred G. Vanderbilt, the NYRA chairman. Ogden Phipps won the toss and chose the 1969 weanling filly out of Somethingroyal. The filly, named The Bride, never won a race (she did later become a stakes producer). Chenery received the Hasty Matelda

colt in 1969 and the yet-to-be-born 1970 foal of Somethingroyal, to be named Secretariat.

Shortly after midnight on March 30, 1970, Secretariat was born at Meadow Stud in Virginia. The bright-red chestnut joined trainer Lucien Laurin’s winter stable at Hialeah Park in Florida in early 1972, quickly earning a reputation as a kind and intelligent horse. Secretariat had a desired physique but was clumsy in his early training. After several months of training, Laurin believed the Meadow colt was ready to make his debut.

Secretariat was a 3-1 favorite in his first career start on July 4, 1972, at Aqueduct. At the start of the 5½-furlong contest a horse named Quebec cut in front of the field, causing a chain of events that led to Secretariat being bumped hard and shuffled back in the field of 12. More trouble ensued on the backstretch when Secretariat and jockey Paul Feliciano found significant traffic trouble. In 10th at the top of the stretch, Secretariat quickly made up significant ground on the leaders and finished fourth, beaten only 1½ lengths by Herbull.

Eleven days later, Secretariat was favored at 6-5 going six furlongs in a field of 11 at Aqueduct. With Feliciano again in the irons, Secretariat broke poorly but proved to be superior to his competition, rolling to a six-length victory. The New York racing scene then transitioned upstate to Saratoga. At the Spa, Ron Turcotte, the regular rider for Meadow Stable, replaced Feliciano as Secretariat’s pilot.

“Never have I watched a lightly raced 2-year-old stamp himself so definitively as a potential great.”

— Andrew Beyer, Washington Star

Opposite page: Secretariat won seven of his nine starts as a 2-year-old in 1972 and won the Eclipse Awards for Horse of the Year and Champion 2-Year-Old Male.

Above: Secretariat, on right, is pictured winning the 1972 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

Bob Coglianese/NYRA photos

Opposite page: Win composite photo from Secretariat’s first career victory, July 15, 1972, at Aqueduct.

Above: Secretariat, Ron Turcotte up, races to victory in the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga.

Bob Coglianese/NYRA photos

Turcotte was already familiar with Secretariat from having been on the colt in several morning works, but he was unavailable for his first two starts while recovering from an injury. Turcotte was well trusted by Laurin, having won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont for him and Meadow Stable on Riva Ridge that year, among other races. At Saratoga, the legend of Secretariat began.

With Turcotte up, Secretariat earned an impressive allowance victory at Saratoga on July 31, covering six furlongs in 1:104�5 as the 2-5 favorite. Secretariat’s first Spa victory prompted legendary sportswriter Charles Hatten to say, “You carry an ideal around in your head, and boy, I thought, ‘This is it.’ I never saw perfection before. I absolutely could not fault him in any way. And neither could the rest of them and that was the amazing thing about it. The body and the head and the eye and the general attitude. It was just incredible. I couldn’t believe my eyes, frankly.”

Next up for Secretariat was the historic Sanford Stakes, a Saratoga

fixture since 1913, notable as the only race the mighty Man o’ War ever lost. Secretariat did not suffer the same fate; his Sanford was a tour de force. Facing off with the highly regarded Linda’s Chief — the only horse ever to be favored against Secretariat — the emerging Meadow star had his work cut out for him in the stretch. Impeded by horses in front of him, Turcotte moved Secretariat through the field “like a hawk scattering a barnyard of chickens,” according to Daily Racing Form. At the finish, Secretariat was three lengths clear of Linda’s Chief. The final time for six furlongs was 1:10. Andrew Beyer, covering the race for the Washington Star, wrote, “Never have I watched a lightly raced 2-year-old stamp himself so definitively as a potential great.”

Secretariat was even better 10 days later in the Hopeful Stakes, which was first contested at Saratoga in 1903 and had been won by greats such as Regret, Man o’ War, Whirlaway, Native Dancer, Nashua, and Buckpasser. For most of the Hopeful, Secretariat looked to be out of contention.

Above: Ron Turcotte brings Secretariat to the winner’s circle following his victory in the 1972 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga.

“He was shuffled back to last place soon after the start,” the New York Times reported. “Secretariat, for all intents and purposes, was not in the hunt as the field hit into the stretch run.

“The achievement of Secretariat was made most remarkable, even in view of his expected triumph, by his lightning forward thrust. Suddenly, as if activated by coiled springs, Secretariat was up front, enjoying a head advantage over Sunny South. After that the Meadow Stable colt went his own way, extending his lead over his foes with every stride.”

At the finish line, Secretariat was five lengths in front of Flight to Glory for his fourth win in five starts. The time of 1:161 5 for 6½ furlongs was three-fifths of a second off the track record.

Turcotte said Secretariat “took himself back as he usually does right after the break. I let him settle into stride and he began to pick up on his own as we came up to the half-mile pole. By the time we straightened out, he was in front. Through the stretch he just kept reaching out without pressure.”

The Times added Secretariat’s Hopeful win was achieved with “contemptuous ease” and the result “was a fitting one for the final program of the Saratoga season.”

Secretariat’s exploits at Saratoga confirmed his star status. He then made his Belmont Park debut on Sept. 16, winning the prestigious Futurity by 1½ lengths. In October, Secretariat was favored at 7-10 in the Champagne. He flew past his rivals turning for home and crossed

the finish line first by two lengths, but the stewards disqualified him for bearing in and interfering with Stop the Music, who was declared the winner. Secretariat was placed second.

Two weeks later, Secretariat had no trouble in trouncing Stop the Music by eight lengths in the Laurel Futurity. His time of 1:162 5 was one-fifth of a second off the track record for 11 16 miles. Secretariat closed out his season on Nov. 18 with a 3½-length victory as the 1-10 favorite in the Garden State Futurity in New Jersey. He again dropped back of the field early before gobbling up his rivals turning for home. Laurin, not one to normally speak in reverential tones about young horses, was in awe of Secretariat’s talent.

“In all his races, he has taken the worse of it by coming from behind, usually circling his field,” the trainer said. “A colt has to be a real runner to do this consistently and get away with it.”

With a record of 7-1-0 from nine starts and earnings of $456,404, Secretariat was an easy choice for Champion 2-Year-Old Male in the balloting for the Eclipse Awards and, in a rare occurrence for a juvenile, was named Horse of the Year. Prior to Secretariat, only Commando (1900), Colin (1907), Native Dancer (1952), and Moccasin (1965) had earned Horse of the Year titles as a 2-year-old (Native Dancer and Moccasin were both co-Horse of the Year winners). Since the establishment of the Eclipse Awards, only Secretariat and Favorite Trick (1997) have been voted Horse of the Year honors as a juvenile.

Above: From left, trainer Lucien Laurin, owner Penny Chenery, and groom Mordecai Williams pose with Secretariat, Turcotte up, after the Sanford.

Douglass Lees photos

A Tremendous Machine

Fifty years ago, Secretariat transcended the sports landscape and became an American icon with a Triple Crown sweep that is still marveled at as one of the greatest athletic accomplishments of all time

BY Brien Bouyea Hall of Fame and Communications Director

Not long after he graced the covers of Time, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated, Secretariat elevated his already substantial stardom to unprecedented heights and achieved immortal status with a run for the ages in the Belmont Stakes. On June 9, 1973, the chestnut son of Bold Ruler became much more than America’s ninth Triple Crown winner, the first in a quarter-century — he became the standard by which all other racehorses that followed are measured.

As was the case in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, Secretariat had no peers in the 105th edition of the Belmont. Before a crowd of 69,138, Secretariat took jockey Ron Turcotte on the ride of his life for a mile and a half around the Belmont Park oval. Facing four overmatched foes, Secretariat delivered a virtuoso performance to end any thoughts that his place in history could be denied.

With Sham all out in a desperate bid to remain in contention with the Derby and Preakness winner, Secretariat rocketed along the Belmont backstretch. With astonishing ease, the equine phenomenon known as “Big Red” extended his advantage with each giant stride. Sham, who finished second in both the Derby and Preakness, was spent before heading into the far turn. All that remained at that point was the coronation.

“Secretariat is widening now,” track announcer Chic Anderson said. “He is moving like a tremendous machine!”

As Secretariat turned for home, Anderson could hardly believe what he was witnessing.

“Secretariat is in a position that is impossible to catch,” Anderson exclaimed. “He’s into the stretch. Secretariat leads this field by 18 lengths. … Secretariat has opened a 22-length lead! He is going to be the Triple Crown winner. Here comes Secretariat to the wire. … He hits the finish 25 lengths in front! … An amazing, unbelievable performance by this miracle horse. … The

Opposite page: Secretariat, Ron Turcotte up, is pictured winning the Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths on June 9, 1973. Above: Secretariat, Turcotte up, heads onto the track at Belmont Park prior to the Belmont Stakes.

Bob Coglianese/NYRA photos

Bob Coglianese/NYRA

photo

most sensational Belmont Stakes in the history of this race. Secretariat has accomplished the unbelievable task of breaking the mile and a half record by 23 5 seconds. That is a record that may stand forever!”

“I kept hearing Chic Anderson,” Turcotte said. “I finally had to turn to see where the other horses were. I know this sounds crazy, but the horse did it by himself. I was along for the ride.”

The numbers were — and remain — otherworldly. A mile and a half in 2:24 flat. The fastest 12 furlongs on dirt in history. Victory by 31 lengths to secure the Triple Crown. Shattering the track record set by Hall of Famer Gallant Man by 23�5 seconds. Fifty years later, the standards Secretariat set that day, as Anderson predicted in the race’s immediate aftermath, remain untouched.

When Secretariat crossed the finish line in the Belmont he became the first horse to sweep the Triple Crown since Calumet Farm’s mighty Citation in 1948. Secretariat had earned his spot on racing’s Mount Rushmore. Many believed he stood alone, including Daily Racing Form writer Charles Hatton, who said Secretariat’s “only point of reference is himself.”

The Triple Crown trophy was presented to Secretariat’s owner, Penny Tweedy, by New York Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller and Virginia Gov. Linwood Holton, the latter representing the state where Secretariat was foaled at Christopher Chenery’s Meadow Stud. Chenery was Tweedy’s father and bred the colt, but he died in January 1973 after a long illness. Following the Belmont, Tweedy was quick to praise Lucien Laurin, Secretariat’s trainer, for his care and preparation of the horse.

“That horse is wonderful, and the reason he is, is because he has been trained magnificently,” she said.

Laurin, for the most part, was confident in Secretariat’s chances of securing the Triple Crown going into the Belmont.

“I wondered a bit when I saw those early figures, wondered if he was going too fast,” Laurin said of the fractional time of 461�5 seconds for the half-mile. “But I told myself that Ronnie knows the horse, and that made me feel better. And I felt better all through the stretch when he was drawing out and still running like a gem.”

The remainder of Secretariat’s 3-year-old campaign was a bit uneven. Following the Belmont, he delivered another brilliant effort in winning

Above: Secretariat is portrayed with jockey Ron Turcotte aboard at Saratoga Race Course by artist Richard Stone Reeves from the collection of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Opposite page: Programs from the 1973 Triple Crown races from the Museum Collection.

Artwork by Richard Stone Reeves/Museum Collection

Secretariat set records in each of the Triple Crown races that have stood for 50 years. He was named Horse of the Year in 1972 and 1973 and retired with 16 wins from 21 starts. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

Bob Coglianese/NYRA photo

the Arlington International Stakes. His time of 1:464 5 was a fifth of a second off the track record for 1⅛ miles set by Hall of Famer Damascus. Secretariat then suffered a shocking defeat to Onion in the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga. Turcotte was criticized for keeping the horse on the rail for too much of the trip, but it was discovered after the race that Secretariat had a fever.

Five weeks after the Whitney, Secretariat returned to top form in the inaugural Marlboro Cup Invitational Handicap at Belmont. He set a world record for 1⅛ miles of 1:452�5 in defeating a star-studded field that included future Hall of Famers Riva Ridge (his stablemate) and Cougar II, as well as standouts Annihilate ’em, Kennedy Road, Key to the Mint, and Whitney winner Onion.

Secretariat then finished second to Prove Out in the Woodward Stakes over a sloppy track at Belmont. In defeating the Triple Crown winner by 4½ lengths, Prove Out, at odds of 16-1, set a stakes record of 2:254�5 for

1½ miles and won for only the third time in 14 races that year. Turcotte was perplexed by Secretariat’s effort.

“I just don’t know what happened to him,” he said. “Maybe he couldn’t get hold of the track, but I really can’t say.”

Secretariat was back at Belmont a week later, but this time he was trying something new — grass racing. In his 20th career start, Secretariat made his first appearance on the turf a memorable one, romping to a fivelength victory in course-record time of 2:244 5 in the 1½-mile Man o’ War Stakes. The New York Times said Secretariat’s victory in the Man o’ War “restored much of the prestige he had lost as a result of his defeats in the Whitney and Woodward.”

One more challenge awaited Secretariat. Three weeks after the Man o’ War, he traveled to Woodbine in Toronto for the Canadian International Championship Stakes on the grass. Turcotte, however, wasn’t in the irons because of a suspension, and Secretariat was instead piloted by rising star

Above: Secretariat, Ron Turcotte up, is pictured in the winner’s circle at Churchill Downs following his 1973 Kentucky Derby victory. His time of 1:59 2 � 5 still stands as the stakes record for 1¼ miles.

Churchill Downs photo/Museum Collection

THEY SAID IT …

Eddie Maple. In his career bow, Secretariat went out with gusto, cruising to a 6½-length score for his 16th victory from 21 starts.

As a juvenile in 1972, Secretariat won the Eclipse Awards for Horse of the Year and Champion 2-Year-Old Male. His sophomore campaign, featuring the historic wins in the Triple Crown races, led to a second Horse of the Year title, Champion 3-Year-Old Male honors, and the Eclipse for Champion Male Turf Horse.

Secretariat was retired to the iconic Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, where he arrived in November 1973 to begin his career as a stallion. Placed in the same stall once occupied by his sire Bold Ruler, Secretariat went on to sire 653 foals, including 57 stakes winners. His most accomplished was daughter Lady’s Secret, Horse of the Year in 1986 and a Hall of Fame member. He also sired champion Risen Star, winner of the Preakness and Belmont. Secretariat’s biggest impact at stud was as a broodmare sire. His notable maternal grandsons include Hall of Fame member A.P. Indy, as well as Chief’s Crown, Dehere, Storm Cat, and Summer Squall.

Inducted into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame in 1974, Secretariat was ranked second to Man o’ War in The BloodHorse’s “Top 100 Racehorses of the 20th Century.” In 2013, he was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame on the 40-year anniversary of his Canadian International victory.

On Oct. 4, 1989, Secretariat was euthanized after a battle with the hoof disease laminitis. A month’s worth of treatment had proven ineffective at improving the condition. Secretariat was buried at Claiborne.

Fifty years have passed since Secretariat dazzled the world with the most remarkable of Triple Crown sweeps. His impact on racing remains as vital today as it was on that magical June day in 1973 when he galloped into the history books and the hearts of millions.

“Secretariat suddenly transcended horse racing and became a cultural phenomenon, a sort of undeclared national holiday from the tortures of Watergate and the Vietnam War.”

William Nack, Sports Illustrated

“You want to know who Secretariat is in human terms? Just imagine the greatest athlete in the world. The greatest. Now make him six-foot-three, the perfect height. Make him real intelligent and kind. And on top of that, make him the best-lookin’ guy ever to come down the pike. He was all those things as a horse.”

Seth Hancock, Claiborne Farm

“You carry an ideal around in your head, and boy, I thought, ‘This is it.’ I never saw perfection before. I absolutely could not fault him in any way. And neither could the rest of them and that was the amazing thing about it. The body and the head and the eye and the general attitude. It was just incredible. I couldn’t believe my eyes, frankly.”

Charles Hatton, Daily Racing Form, on Secretariat’s maiden victory, 1972

Above and left: Secretariat is shown at the 1973 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. As he did in the Derby, Secretariat defeated Sham in record time. Opposite page top right: Secretariat, Eddie Maple up, after winning his final career start at Woodbine in Canada.

Jim McCue photos/Maryland Jockey Club

SECRETARIAT’S Hall of Fame Connections

Eclipse Award for Outstanding Breeder 1972, 1973

Inducted into the Hall of Fame 2019

Penny Chenery - owner

Eclipse Award of Merit 2005

Inducted into the Hall of Fame 2018

SECRETARIAT (VA)

Chestnut colt, 1970 — 1989

Lucien Laurin - trainer

Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer 1972

Inducted into the Hall of Fame 1977

By Bold Ruler—Somethingroyal,

Princequillo

Inducted into the Hall of Fame 1979

A Tremendous Machine: Celebrating the 50 th Anniversary of Secretariat’s Triple Crown

Breeder: Meadow Stud, Inc.

Owner: Meadow Stable

Trainer: Lucien Laurin

Jockeys: Ron Turcotte (18 starts), Paul Feliciano (two starts), Eddie Maple (one start)

by

Christopher T. Chenery - breeder

Ron Turcotte - jockey

Winner of 3,032 races, including six Triple Crown events

Opens July 13 in the Peter McBean Gallery at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

Top: Michael Burns/Woodbine photo; bottom: Bob Coglianese/NYRA photo

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

A TREMENDOUS MACHINE:

Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club Bob Coglianese