Secretariat: More Than a Racehorse—A Legend

A photo of Secretariat at Churchill Downs Racetrack (courtesy of the Kentucky Derby Museum and Churchill Downs Racetrack)

When you hear the name Secretariat, you probably think of greatness—and you’d be right. But after talking with the people who knew him best, I learned his story goes far beyond trophies and records. Secretariat wasn’t just fast. He was one of a kind, and he’s still inspiring people more than 50 years later.

Secretariat was a legendary American Thoroughbred, best known for winning the Triple Crown in 1973. That includes three of the biggest races in U.S. horse racing: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. Not only did he win all three, but he also broke the track records in each race, and those records still stand today.

He was born in 1970 at Meadow Stable in Virginia and was owned by Penny Chenery. Nicknamed “Big Red” for his chestnut coat and large size, Secretariat became a national hero at a time when the country was struggling with the Vietnam War and political scandals. He gave people something to cheer for and believe in.

A Horse Like No Other

I spoke with Kate Chenery Tweedy, daughter of the late Penny Chenery and President of the Secretariat Foundation, who had a front-row seat to Secretariat’s rise. “I saw him as a foal,” Tweedy said. “He was the biggest, the most beautiful, and had the most character.” That energy was evident from the start. During one of his first races at Saratoga, Secretariat was boxed behind three other horses. “He didn’t panic,” Tweedy said. “The horses in front of him opened just a bit, and he shot through the gap and won pulling away. That’s when we knew he was special.”

Chris Goodlett, Senior Director of Curatorial and Educational Affairs at the Kentucky Derby Museum, told me that Secretariat’s records are unmatched. “It’s been over 50 years, and those times have never been broken,” he said. “That’s incredibly rare in any sport.” Goodlett also explained how Secretariat became a unifying figure in 1973, during a tough time in American history. “People looked to him for something positive and exciting,” he said.

A Lasting Legacy

Secretariat’s success changed the lives of those around him. “My mom was suddenly on national TV,” Tweedy recalled. “There was a lot of pressure, but it brought us together and it made people happy.” Fans still tell her how watching Secretariat helped them through hard times. “Some even cry when they talk about him,” she said.

He also had a secret advantage. His heart was twice the size of the average racehorse. “He had a 22-pound heart,” Goodlett said. That gave him the endurance to dominate long races like the Belmont Stakes, which he won by an incredible 31 lengths.

Today, Secretariat’s legacy lives on. Every horse in the 2025 Kentucky Derby traces back to him. “He’s the GOAT—Greatest of All Time,” Tweedy said with pride.

Secretariat wasn’t just a champion; he was a legend with heart.