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April 2, 2019

The Horse That Changed History: Secretariat’s Record-Breaking Triple Crown Victory

The history of horse racing rested on the flip of a coin. In the year 1969, Penny Chenery lost to Philip Ogden in a game of fate. The two stable owners tossed a coin for the first choice of two foals sired by the famed racehorse “Bold Ruler.” Philip won the coin toss and ended up leaving Penny with the foal that would one day grow up to be a Triple Crown Winner.1 Secretariat’s journey started on March 30, 1970. He was born with three white socks down near his hooves and a dazzling chestnut coat, an appearance that ultimately caused him to don the nickname “Big Red” in years to come.2

Big Red and Owner Penny Chenery (1973) | Courtesy of kdhamptons.com

Secretariat is the greatest racehorse to have ever lived, but his racing debut did not go as many would expect. On July 4, 1972, Big Red took to professional competition for the first time at Aqueduct Racetrack. There, he displayed tremendous speed by catching up to the lead horse by seven of eight lengths, with a length being approximately eight feet, and ended up placing in fourth. His second race took place on July 15, 1972. This was the day he became iconic for his raw power and stamina. Secretariat was a horse that gained strength and speed the farther he barreled into every race, and this was certainly no exception and marked the first win of his career. Eventually, on July 31, 1972, Ron Turcotte took Big Red’s reigns and became his main jockey. Turcotte and Big Red were a match made in heaven. Indeed, the duo went on to win six races together, leaving Secretariat with a record of seven wins and two losses. He was named “horse of the year” due to his tremendous record, and was the second two-year-old in history to have ever captured this honor. 3

After a year, spring came into full bloom, and with it came the 1973 Triple Crown. At the age of three, Secretariat was better than ever. He had grown an inch and a half, and, after a winter of training, he was ready to race to glory. The season started off with two easy wins at the Bay Shore and the Gotham Stakes, both races were held at the Aqueduct Racetrack in New York. With two wins under Big Red’s belt, he seemed almost unstoppable. On April 12, 1973, however, he encountered his first true competition of the season at the Wood Memorial Stakes. There was an incredible upset that led to Secretariat placing third, Sham placing second, and Angel Light placing first. This marked Secretariat’s first loss of the season, at the last important race leading up to the Triple Crown, no less.4

Secretariat and jockey Turcotte, undeterred by their loss, moved into the three races making up the Triple Crown: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. And each one showcases the fastest horses and the most talented jockeys of the year. This was competition like Big Red had never experienced before.5 When the 1973 Kentucky Derby rolled around, Ron Turcotte and Secretariat took to the gates. Time stood still, and once the gates blew open, Secretariat barreled out. With a slow start, the two started in the back of the pack. As the race went on, Secretariat naturally began to build up speed. He surged through the middle of the pack and moved up towards Sham, who was working his way into the lead. Secretariat took to the outside of the group and quickly closed the gap between Sham and himself. The two were neck and neck as they came out towards the final turn, each jiving for first. After precious seconds of conflict, Secretariat gained a lead on Sham and started to pull away towards the finish line, eventually winning the Kentucky Derby.6

Secretariat and His Jockey, Ron Turcotte, at the Belmont Stakes (June 9, 1973) | Courtesy of slicethelife.com

Secretariat and His Jockey, Ron Turcotte, at the Belmont Stakes (June 9, 1973) | Courtesy of slicethelife.comWith one of the three races won, Big Red quickly moved on to the Preakness Stakes. Sham had proved to be his main competition in the previous two races, and they would constantly be locked into combat down on the track again. When the race started, six horses raced out of the gates, forcing Secretariat towards the back of the pack, while Sham barreled to first. Big Red began to dash his way up the outside again, quickly overtaking fifth and fourth, then smashing through third and second place. Early on into the backstretch, Secretariat caught up to Sham. Again the two horses went head to head before Secretariat passed Sham on the outside of the track. Secretariat pulled away and continued to slowly lengthen his lead around the last turn and the final stretch, coming in first.7

Secretariat (1970s) | Courtesy of Wikipedia

June 9, 1973, marked the day that would change the history of horse racing as we know it today. It was, after all, the day of the 1973 Belmont Stakes, the final race of the Triple Crown. The gates snapped open, and Secretariat rushed out onto the track. He quickly moved into fourth and surged up into first shortly after the first turn. There, Secretariat was naturally met with his mortal enemy: Sham. Sham and Secretariat quickly found themselves locked in a battle yet again. This time, however, everything was on the line. Sham moved shortly back into first as the two entered the backstretch. Not to be outdone, Big Red moved back into first and started to pull away. He gained over Sham inch by inch, and continued to charge on through the final turn and off to the finish line, winning the Belmont Stakes and becoming a Triple Crown Winner.8 At the end of it all, he won by a record-breaking thirty-one lengths. Understandably, the times that Secretariat ran all three races have yet to be broken by any horse today.9

Secretariat later retired after his third year of racing. He was moved to Claireborne farms, where he sired five hundred and eighty-two offspring. Forty-one of his offspring went on to become stakes winners.10 Big Red, ripe with old age, eventually became sick with laminitis, a painful and often deadly hoof disease. He was put down October 4, 1989.11 He was the horse that changed history, and his hooves still echo through the hall of racing history today.

  1. Erik Van Rheenen, “4 Coin Flips That Changed History,” Mental Floss (blog), June 1, 2014, http://mentalfloss.com/article/50832/4-coin-flips-changed-history.
  2. New World Encyclopedia, s.v. “Secretariat.”
  3. Encyclopedia Brittanica, s.v. “Secretariat,” by Marvin Drager.
  4. Encyclopedia Brittanica, s.v. “Secretariat,” by Marvin Drager.
  5. Tom Pedulla, “Secretariat: ‘A Tremendous Machine,'” America’s Best Racing (blog), February 11, 2019, https://www.americasbestracing.net/the-sport/2019-secretariat-tremendous-machine.
  6. Secretariat – Kentucky Derby 1973, video file, 3:02, YouTube, posted October 8, 2011, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74Usj3K4oZ0.
  7. Secretariat – Preakness Stakes 1973, video file, 3:03, YouTube, posted July 29, 2011, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV89InWOENc.
  8. Secretariat Belmont Stakes 1973 & extended coverage (HD Version – NEW!), video file, 5:12, YouTube, posted June 25, 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfCMtaNiMDM.
  9. “Secretariat,” History (blog), August 21, 2018, https://www.history.com/topics/sports/secretariat.
  10.   “Secretariat,” History (blog), August 21, 2018, https://www.history.com/topics/sports/secretariat.
  11. William Nack, “Pure Heart: The thrilling life and emotional death of Secretariat,” Sports Illustrated (blog), January 2, 2015, https://www.si.com/horse-racing/2015/01/02/pure-heart-william-nack-secretariat.

Recent Comments

30 comments

  • Kennedy Arcos

    This was such an inspirational article. I have only ever known about this story because of the movie, which I love! This article did a great job of describing the challenges of this amazing horse, as well as his success. I enjoyed reading about how despite loss and challenges, Secretariat and Ron Turcotte pushed forward and eventually became the best.

  • I watched the triple crown race. I was impressed and loved Secretariat there has never been another horse like him and I don’t think there ever will be. This story was well written and truthful in every sense. I enjoyed the telling of his story.

  • Kacey Diaz

    I’ve heard of this story because I’ve seen the movie, but I think this article did a really good job of explaining the timeline of Secretariat’s life. One thing that I loved about this article was that it held a sense of suspense while reading it. Even knowing the outcome of the Triple Crown this article still kept me engaged.

  • Sally mcfarland

    I was. Lucky to have lived when he won he was the most beautiful and greatest athlete and horse I ever seen. He was said to be Gods greatest gift. I MISS HIM

  • Kaleb Werku

    What a story, I have never been much of a horse racing watcher but I have watched a few and it is crazy how fast they are and they do it so elegantly. Moreover, the race that I watched was amateur, so I can’t even imagine how fast Secretariat was. The amount of trophies he accumulated in his career is truly legendary, and I wish I was there to see it.

  • Mauro Bustamante

    Imagine being able to win three major events and being crowned the triple crown. This article is truly amazing and a inspiring historical story about Secretariat. This horse was one of the best in the horsing races so many wins and it also fascinating how fast and strong these horses really are. The awards and records that Secretariat had left behind showed that he was just on a different level of strength and speed compared to the other horses, his story is truly something to read if wanting to be inspired.

  • Andrea Degollado

    This is article was truly interring to read. I’ve read a little about horse-racing but i never knew about Secretariat or the actual history behind horse racing. I thought it was really interesting to know about the records Secretariat left behind and all his accomplishments. This article was truly well written.

  • Cassandra Sanchez

    I have never really known much about horse racing but I find it absolutely fascinating how fast and strong these horses really are. Secretariat was truly one of the best horses in Horse Racing, with so many wins attached to his name and so much talent in this sport. It is also pretty cool how his offspring went on to follow in his lead and be great racers too. His whole legacy begun by chance, and that is truly legendary.

  • Jake Mares

    You know a horse is truly legendary when someone who knows little to nothing about horse racing can tell you about Secretariat. This is truly a remarkable story given the circumstances of a coin flip… Such a legend would never have been born based on pure chance. Informative article, too. I have never known much about horse racing or the Triple Crown before.

  • Tyler Caron

    It is always nice to read a story that doesn’t always focus on a main sport. Horse racing is a very exciting sport and should be taken serious. Especially the was Secretariat raced. This horse was truly amazing. It finished as one of the best race horses in history and some may say that it was the best. Imagine being able to win three major events and being crowned the triple crown! That is just amazing and that horse is an amazing creature that’s for sure.

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