Places to Visit
There are many monuments, museums, parks, and other places around the U.S.A. where fans can connect with Secretariat’s story and celebrate his history and legacy.
Secretariat’s Story Begins in Virginia
Aerial view of Meadow Farm.
Meadow Farm, Doswell, VA
Secretariat was born in Caroline County, Virginia, on March 30, 1970 at Meadow Farm. He was sired by Bold Ruler from Somethingroyal.
Meadow Farm was a stud farm and race horse breeding operation that also produced Riva Ridge a year before the birth of Secretariat. Riva Ridge went on to win 2 of 3 Triple Crown races in 1972.
After “The Meadow” was sold in 1978, Penny Chenery leased part of the farm and continued breeding and racing.
Meadow Farm, now known as the Meadow Event Park, is the site of the State Fair of Virginia, held every year in early fall. The original barns that housed Secretariat, Riva Ridge and earlier Meadow Stable champions, are listed on the state and national historic registers. For more info on self-guided tours of the grounds, see Meadow Event Park.
Location: 13191 Dawn Blvd. Doswell, VA 23047
Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, VA
The “Secretariat—Racing into History” monument (#2/2), sculpted by acclaimed artist Jocelyn Russell, is a remarkable tribute to the legendary Triple Crown Champion.
At 21 feet long and 11.5 feet tall, this is the largest sculpture of Secretariat in existence, dramatically illustrating the Virginia-born champion’s larger-than-life presence as an equine athlete and American icon.
The monument went on the Triple Crown Tour in honor of the 50th anniversary of the iconic wins in 1973 before its permanent installation at Randolph-Macon College.
The bronze statue (with jockey Ron Turcotte astride) was dedicated on March 30, 2024—on Secretariat’s birthday.
Location: 76 England St, Ashland, VA 23005 (corner of England St & Railroad Ave)
Chenery Family Home, Ashland, VA
Christopher T. Chenery, owner of Secretariat, was raised in this home along with his 4 siblings.
Built in 1891, the main structure is the earliest surviving house on Duncan Street in Ashland. It is a great example of Eastlake style architecture with decorative detailing.
This is a private home. To learn more about the history of the Chenery house, visit the Ashland Museum.
Location: 402 Duncan St, Ashland, VA 23005
Kentucky
Kentucky Derby Museum, Louisville, KY
The Kentucky Derby Museum has a permanent immersive exhibit called “Secretariat America’s Horse.”
The museum is located next to Churchill Downs Racetrack in one of Louisville’s historic neighborhoods.
Location: 704 Central Avenue, Louisville, KY 40208
Lexington, KY
The Secretariat Monument Project #1/2 (artist Jocelyn Russell) was installed on October 14, 2019 in a traffic circle in Lexington, KY.
The bronze statue is 1 1/2 times the size of Secretariat. He is posed in full stride as starter No. 1A with Ron Turcotte in the saddle.
Location: Alexandria Drive & Old Frankfort Pike in Lexington, KY
Secretariat Circle at the Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY
Located at the Kentucky Horse Park, the bronze life-size Edwin Bogucki Secretariat sculpture (2004) depicts Eddie Sweat with jockey Ron Turcotte being led into the winner’s circle after his win in the Kentucky Derby.
About Bogucki (1932 - 2021): Born to Polish immigrant parents, Bogucki was raised in Wisconsin, where as a young boy he displayed a talent for art and a strong interest in horses.
Location: 4089 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY 40511
Secretariat Center at the Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY
The bronze statue by Jim Reno (1992) stands at the Secretariat Center on the Kentucky Horse Park grounds.
Visitors to the Secretariat Center will see not only the beautiful Reno bronze, which depicts Secretariat as an older sire, but also the barn and grounds of the Secretariat Center. For over 20 years, the Secretariat Center has been re-homing off-the-track thoroughbreds—preparing them for adoption into quality homes where they can enjoy a second career in a variety of disciplines. (To learn more about the Center and see horses currently available for adoption go to www.secretariatcenter.org).
About Reno: Reno was educated at John Herron Art Institute in Indiana. His experience as a horse trainer enabled him to understand the anatomy and mind of his horse subjects.
Secretariat Center Location: 4155 Walt Robertson Dr, Lexington, KY 40511
Secretariat Park, Paris, KY
Secretariat Park honors Secretariat’s legacy with limestone storytelling pillars devoted to his racing and breeding career.
A life-size bronze sculpture of Secretariat running at the legendary Claiborne Farm (artist Joycelyn Russell) and a three-story mural of him winning the 1973 Kentucky Derby (artist Jaime Corum) are the centerpieces of the park.
The park opened November 11, 2023—50 years to the date that Secretariat arrived at Claiborne where he retired.
Location: Main Street, Paris, KY 40361
Claiborne Farm
Claiborne Farm is the thoroughbred breeding farm where Secretariat retired and was buried, along with Riva Ridge.
When he arrived in 1973 for stallion duty, Secretariat took over the premier stall at Claiborne—that of his sire Bold Ruler.
Every year, hundreds of people visit his grave at Claiborne. For tour information, click HERE.
Location: 703 Winchester Road, Paris, KY 40361
New York
National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is location in Saratoga Springs, NY, home of the oldest thoroughbred racetrack in America.
Visit the musem to see Secretariat’s Triple Crown trophies, along with a statue of Secretariat by artist John Skeaping (1974).
Location: 191 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY
Belmont Park
John Skeaping created a duplicate of the Secretariat monument at the National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame for Belmont Park.
Location: Saddling ring at Belmont Park, Elmont, NY