Secretariat’s History & Legacy
Kentucky Derby - May 5, 1973
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Preakness Stakes - May 19, 1973
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Belmont Stakes - June 9, 1973
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Kentucky Derby - May 5, 1973 〰️ Preakness Stakes - May 19, 1973 〰️ Belmont Stakes - June 9, 1973 〰️
Bold Ruler—Somethingroyal*
Bred and owned by Meadow Stable.
Trained by Lucien Laurin.
*daughter of Princequillo
Mar 30, 1970 - Oct 4, 1989
Foaled: Caroline County, Virginia
Died: Paris, Kentucky
Secretariat’s Progeny
Storm Cat (1983 - 2013)
Storm Cat was one of the best 2-year-old racehorses of his generation. His dam was Terlinqua, an outstanding sprinter, who was sired by Secretariat.
Lady’s Secret (1975-1991)
This small and dainty grey filly by Secretariat and out of the gray mare Great Lady M., came to be known as the “Iron Lady” and the “Silver Bullet” for her speed and power on the racetrack.
Weekend Surprise (1980-2001)
Weekend Surprise won 3 stakes races in 1982. Her most famous son is A.P. Indy by Seattle Slew. She was said to carry the gene to pass on the “big heart” to her offspring.
Risen Star (1985-1998)
The 17-hand dark bay colt thrilled the crowds at the Belmont Stakes by winning by 14 ¾ lengths as the announcer shouted “He looks just like his daddy!”
Terlingua (1990-2009)
“Her father’s daughter” is named for the Texas town famous for its hot chili. Terlingua started burning up the track her first time out.
Secretariat’s Illustrious Lineage
Princequillo (1940 - 1964)
Secretariat was sired by Bold Ruler and his dam was Somethingroyal, a daughter of Princequillo.
Hailed as the “king of racing,” Triple Crown legend Secretariat truly sprang from racing royalty. Both the top of his pedigree (sire) and the bottom (dam) boast extraordinary forebears.
To read Leeanne Meadows Ladin’s series on Secretariat’s Illustrious Lineage, click the button below.
Secretariat’s Team
Learn about the people behind Big Red.
Penny Chenery, Lucien Laurin, and Ron Turcotte come to mind immediately, but countless others supported Secretariat and his rise to fame.
Read about the “Holly Hills” crew, the stable’s veterinarian, Secretariat’s racetrack groom, the Meadow’s farm manager, and “the stud man.”
To learn more about the members of Secretariat’s team, click the button below.
1972
Sanford Stakes
Hopeful Stakes
Futurity Stakes
Laurel Futurity
Garden State Futurity
1973
Bay Shore Stakes
Gotham Stakes
Arlington Invitational
Marlboro Cup Handicap
Man o’ War Stakes
Canadian International
Awards
9th U.S. Triple Crown Champion - 1973
American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt - 1972
American Champion Three-Year-Old Horse - 1973
American Champion Male Turf Horse - 1973
American Horse of the Year - 1972, 1973
Leading Broodmare Sire in North America - 1972
Honors
Time Magazine “Super Horse” - 1973
U.S. Racing Hall of Fame - 1974
Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame - 2007
Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame - 2013
U.S. Postage Stamp - 1999
#2 - Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century
The Story of Big Red
The former grand house at Meadow Farm. Inset: The foaling shed where Secretariat was born.
On March 30, 1970, Secretariat drew his first breath in a little white foaling shed on a historic farm called The Meadow in Caroline County, Virginia. Three years later he would leave the nation breathless as he captured the Triple Crown, shattering records and rivals alike.
At the Meadow, “America’s Super Horse” learned to gallop across its rolling fields and its loamy track. There, Secretariat first felt the calming hand of a groom, the taste of a bit in his mouth and the weight of a rider on his back. At the Meadow, the foundation was laid for a legend.
—from “Secretariat’s Meadow: the Land, the Family, the Legend by Kate Chenery Tweedy and Leeanne Ladin