By: Arthur Liao
Secretariat whinnied nervously as Ron Turcotte, his rider, hopped onto his saddle. It was 1973, and they were in Belmont Park, NY. As the starter lowered the starting gate, the horses took off. When the race finished, Secretariat won by a majestic 31 lengths (248 ft).
Background Information:
Secretariat was born on March 5, 1970, in The Meadow in Doswell, Virginia. His parents were horses Somethingroyal and Bold Ruler. Secretariat was 1,200 lbs and was 16 ‘2 hands (5’6”) when fully grown. He was slightly on the larger side, as the average horse weight is about 900-1200 lbs, and the average height is roughly 16’ hands (5 ft). He died on October 4, 1989, and was buried at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky. Ron Turcotte later said, “Secretariat was very gentle and did anything you asked him to do.”
Racing History and Awards:
Secretariat only had 2 years of racing, and in his first year he won multiple events, including the Sanford Stakes, Hopeful Stakes, Belmont Futurity, Laurel Futurity, and the Garden State Stakes.
In Secretariat’s second year he was even more successful. Secretariat set many track records in his last year, including at the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stake, and continued to earn world records in competitions like the Belmont Stakes and Marlboro Cup.
After the Belmont Stakes race was finished, reporters ranted about how majestic and thoroughbred Secretariat was. Peter Axthelm, a columnist for NewsWeek wrote, “Secretariat generates tension and excitement wherever he goes, even in gloomy weather. His muscular build identifies him immediately; his reddish coat is his banner of health and power.” These words capture well Secretariat’s majesty and commanding aura.
Descendants:
Secretariat has a whopping 663 descendants (children, technically). One of Secretariat’s partners in creating these 663 descendants was Great Lady M. Great Lady M. who was another racehorse that raced for three years: 1978, 1979, 1980. In her first year she won only the Mission Viejo Stakes. In her second year she won the La Brea Stakes and Orange Coast Handicap. In her final year she picked up the pace and won Autumn Days Handicap, Rancho Bernardo Handicap, Las Cienegas Handicap, and finally the A Gleam Handicap competition.
Secretariat was a prestigious race horse, even considered the greatest of all time, and was a loving, caring creature.
Bibliography:
Great Lady M. (horse) – American Classic Pedigrees