Secretariat: LARGER than LIFE

Surveying the track and everyone on it, Big Red chose his moment to proceed: stepping onto the track, he started to run. Stretching out his long, perfect body, Secretariat became as one with the dirt beneath his beautiful feet at the ends of his exquisite legs. He accelerated, moving with grace, speed and authority. The sound when his hooves hit the ground sent shivers down spines, as the thunder of Thor’s Hammer announced the big horse’s superiority.

Sculptor, Joclyn Russells Secretariat: Larger than Life truly is larger than was Big Red, himself: 21’ long, the 3,800-pound artwork is a monument to equine perfection. The statue is approximately 1 1/2x Secretariat’s actual size. Like the Colossus of Rhodes, it’s impossible to stand next to the great bronze steed and not be overcome with reverence, and respect for the Colorado native who took him from clay-to metal-to Life.

Russell’s august ode to the mighty warrior horse pulses with vitality: muscles, sinew and veins came alive under her artistic vision, and she gave him the Breath of Life. The statue is enormous, but surprisingly it’s only about 1 ½ times Secretariat’s actual size. Secretariat was one big horse: the flesh-and-blood Champion stood 16.2 hands (66”) tall – at the withers, that is, at his shoulder. To the tip of his ears, he was 7’ tall. An imposing figure, indeed.

The Artist herself has grown over decades: starting in her youth, she worked for 14 years for a veterinarian. That forged her love of animals and their anatomies; she took that passion and turned it first into painting and sculpting. She paints mostly in oils and arcylics; her works are both ethereal and lively. Her (literal) hands-on molding of animal statues ranges from miniatures to monumental, and results in sculptures that capture human hearts and souls. (She works very closely with her husband, metal artist, Michael Dubail. Michael’s work. sharp eye and deep knowledge of metal arts are integral, as the couple work together on many projects.)

Together with Allie (their adorable pup), they drove Secretariat on his flatbed, on an incredible journey from The Crucible Bronze Foundry in Norman, Oklahoma. First to Louisville (Churchill Downs). Thence to Baltimore (Pimlico), finally to New York (Belmont). Following the Belmont Stakes, the entourage packed up their gear, and trekked to Saratoga, where the monument to Penny Chenery’s Champion will be on display until just after the Whitney. (The first weekend in August.) Secretariat ultimately will be in Ashland – we’re not allowed to tell more, so please check Secretariat.com for updates!

Every time Secretariat set foot onto a track, he did so with the confidence befitting a champion. Stepping into the gap, he stood, chest muscles rippling, his chestnut coat shimmering in the sun. Horses were intimidated by his commanding presence, the physical manifestation of the very essence of Plato’s horse Archetype.