TruthSeeker56
Silver Member
I'm sure most of you have at least heard of Secretariat, and some of you are old enough to remember 1973 and Secretariat's road to horseracing's Triple Crown.
Secretariat's accomplishments were revisited when the movie "Secretariat" hit the theatres a couple of years ago. It was a wonderful movie, and although many important facts were omitted or "embellished", it was very well-done.
Over the years, I have read just about every book ever written about Secretariat, and have amassed a nice collection of Secretariat memorabilia and horse racing memorabilia in-general.
Most of you will say that Secretariat was "just a racehorse", and he was no big deal. Some of you will say, "What about Seattle Slew or Affirmed? They also won Triple Crowns in the 1970s, after Secretariat."
What makes Secretariat so very special to many people, is where this country was in 1973, and how badly this country needed a HERO in 1973. Who would have ever imagined that the HERO this country needed would end up being a HORSE?
1973 was a year that started with Nixon and Watergate and the Vietnam War and an American economy in distress and many other social and national issues. People needed SOMETHING to put a smile on their face, SOMETHING to be proud of again, SOMETHING to cheer for, and SOMETHING to admire.
That "something" was Secretariat, and that "something" became the greatest racehorse in the history of thoroughbred racing. Secretariat turned into a "rock star". He was beautiful. He was muscled. He was fast. He was intelligent. He LOVED the attention he received. He was the most dominant horse in Triple Crown history.
Secretariat's Kentucky Derby and Belmont race times are STILL records, almost 39 years after he ran in them. Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes by 31 (thirty one) lengths. The words of announcer Chic Anderson describing Secretariat as "moving like a tremendous machine" as he pulled away from the other horses, still echo in my ears. Secretariat became the first Triple Crown in 25 years.
Secretariat was the PERFECT horse, who arrived at the PERFECT time in American history. I only wish I had had the chance to see him in-person.
Secretariat only raced in 21 races, and was retired to stud at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, after his 3-year-old season. He was syndicated for over $6 million, a record at the time. We will never know how great he would have been had he been allowed to continue racing. For the next 16 years, over 10,000 admirers a year came to Claiborne Farm to just SEE "Big Red", and maybe get a chance to touch him.
Secretariat contracted laminitis in all four of his hooves, and was euthanized in October of 1989, at the age of 19. He was buried, intact, at Claiborne, and to this day, his grave is visited by thousands of people every year.
I would love to hear from those of you who remember Secretariat, and share your thoughts. I'll also be happy to answer any questions anybody might have about Secretariat and "behind the scenes" stuff about Secretariat and the people who were closest to him.
Secretariat's accomplishments were revisited when the movie "Secretariat" hit the theatres a couple of years ago. It was a wonderful movie, and although many important facts were omitted or "embellished", it was very well-done.
Over the years, I have read just about every book ever written about Secretariat, and have amassed a nice collection of Secretariat memorabilia and horse racing memorabilia in-general.
Most of you will say that Secretariat was "just a racehorse", and he was no big deal. Some of you will say, "What about Seattle Slew or Affirmed? They also won Triple Crowns in the 1970s, after Secretariat."
What makes Secretariat so very special to many people, is where this country was in 1973, and how badly this country needed a HERO in 1973. Who would have ever imagined that the HERO this country needed would end up being a HORSE?
1973 was a year that started with Nixon and Watergate and the Vietnam War and an American economy in distress and many other social and national issues. People needed SOMETHING to put a smile on their face, SOMETHING to be proud of again, SOMETHING to cheer for, and SOMETHING to admire.
That "something" was Secretariat, and that "something" became the greatest racehorse in the history of thoroughbred racing. Secretariat turned into a "rock star". He was beautiful. He was muscled. He was fast. He was intelligent. He LOVED the attention he received. He was the most dominant horse in Triple Crown history.
Secretariat's Kentucky Derby and Belmont race times are STILL records, almost 39 years after he ran in them. Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes by 31 (thirty one) lengths. The words of announcer Chic Anderson describing Secretariat as "moving like a tremendous machine" as he pulled away from the other horses, still echo in my ears. Secretariat became the first Triple Crown in 25 years.
Secretariat was the PERFECT horse, who arrived at the PERFECT time in American history. I only wish I had had the chance to see him in-person.
Secretariat only raced in 21 races, and was retired to stud at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, after his 3-year-old season. He was syndicated for over $6 million, a record at the time. We will never know how great he would have been had he been allowed to continue racing. For the next 16 years, over 10,000 admirers a year came to Claiborne Farm to just SEE "Big Red", and maybe get a chance to touch him.
Secretariat contracted laminitis in all four of his hooves, and was euthanized in October of 1989, at the age of 19. He was buried, intact, at Claiborne, and to this day, his grave is visited by thousands of people every year.
I would love to hear from those of you who remember Secretariat, and share your thoughts. I'll also be happy to answer any questions anybody might have about Secretariat and "behind the scenes" stuff about Secretariat and the people who were closest to him.
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