Big Changes Coming to Secretariat.com
In 2002, Secretariat.com launched “out of the gate and into history” as the first website solely dedicated to a singular Thoroughbred racehorse. For more than two decades, the website has served as the definitive source for history, information and products pertaining to the famed 1973 Triple Crown winner and enjoyed the privilege of working with Secretariat’s late owner Penny Chenery and her Meadow Stable team.
As of March 31, the website’s licensing term has ended and contractual obligations with Ms. Chenery’s children have been fulfilled. This in turn is prompting several changes for Secretariat.com. We will no longer be designated as the official website representing the renowned champion, nor have the responsibility of creating and manufacturing officially licensed products. Please pardon the inconvenience of our temporary reconstruction as we transform and relaunch as the definitive fan site celebrating Secretariat and his timeless legacy.
As we move forward with these changes, Secretariat.com‘s dedication to fans will continue, and we will maintain our commitment to sharing the Secretariat story and serve as the unofficial, but still premier online source for historical information and archival products. We will continue to represent Secretariat’s jockey Ron Turcotte and offer a variety of items autographed by the Hall of Fame rider and his fellow Meadow team members. Secretariat.com will also expand its ongoing mission to celebrate Thoroughbred racing’s past by remembering its heroes and strive to enhance awareness in the sport, engaging the participation of existing fans and sparking the interest of new ones.
During this transitional down time, Secretariat.com will provide updates and announcements through our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social media accounts and the monthly e-newsletter. And the weekly Derby Rankings and commentary from award-winning columnist Steve Haskin will continue unabated.
The Classic Merchandise store will briefly be unavailable while we take inventory, then continue to serve fans as the one-stop shop for authentic and original racing memorabilia. We also look forward to brokering important artifacts from the personal collections of Mr. Turcotte, exercise riders Jimmy Gaffney and Charlie Davis, writer Bill Nack, and Ms. Chenery’s sister Margaret Carmichael. Secretariat.com will remain true to its original vision in assisting the racing community, with a selection of future offerings expected to benefit various equine-related non-profit organizations.
We appreciate your patience and consideration while the website undergoes these significant changes. On behalf of our entire team, thank you for your continued interest and affection for Secretariat and the sport of Thoroughbred racing.
Hello dear friends in the Secretariat community,
I hope you are doing well. I would like to share a Secretariat memory.
I remember when the OPEC oil embargo like it was yesterday. I remember growing up in Kingman Arizona. In 1973 Secretariat won the Preakness Stakes race in the Triple Crown races. Around this time the catastrophic BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) occurred in my home town, following a fire that broke out as propane was being transferred from a railroad car to a storage tank, killing 11 firefighters.
Secretariat was my anchor, and a beacon of hope in a time when I needed it the most. I would love to hear your other Secretariat stories as well. Thank you Secretariat.com for keeping the legend alive.
With all my love,
W.R.
Dear W.R.,
Thank you for your inspiring story. I too have been deeply affected by Secretariat.
The year was 1974. Mikhail Gorbachev was on the move. I remember being a 10 year scared for the future that I was that I was go up in. In those dark times, Secretariat provided the bright light that I needed. He was always an inspiration to me and what I could accomplish. I will always be thankful for his presence and influence on my life.
Yours truly,
I.K.
Dear W. Rose,
As I reflect on my Secretariat memories, I am reminded of the Watergate Scandal. President’s Nixon’s actions had a profoundly negative impact on me during those formative years. Every time my stress would bubble up, I experienced relief in Secretariat’s victories across the Triple Crown races. For example, the Senate Watergate hearings in 1973 were overshadowed by Secretariat’s grand victory in the Kentucky Derby. He was the most truly special horse to ever live and lifted me out of a dark time in my life.
Your friend,
Alex G.
Thank you for everything secretariat will always be the greatest
Hello,
Could you announce when your Secretariat website will be up and running again? Thank you!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Ruth
Hello,
Every year while growing up my mom and her three of her children couldn’t wait for The Kentucky Derby, Belmont, and Preakness to come around. We’d each pick a horse and would receive between $0.75 to $0.25 according to how our choices placed. I’m now 65 and I still get a thrill at the beginning of May know the Kentucky Derby is soon.
I clearly recall Secretariat winning the Triple Crown in ‘73. My niece has been to Secretariat’s resting place and hopefully this Fall or next Spring my husband and I will visit him there too. He provided thousands of people as we watched him run, most likely more than Mrs. Chenery had any idea. Secretariat ran like the wind and was more than spectacular. Someday, hopefully, one of his off-spring will be able to provide us again with a glimpse of what Secretariat had.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Ruth
Let’s not forget Secretariat’s stablemate, Riva Ridge, at Meadow Farm. He won the 1972 Kentucky Derby and The Belmont Stakes when Secretariat was running as a two year old. He actually got the Meadow Farm out of financial tax woes in his syndication. Secretariat’s syndication was just icing on the cake for Meadow Farm. There are photos of Riva Ridge and Secretariat with Eddie Sweat (their groom). Riva was Eddie’s first love. This does not take away from what Secretariat did, it just adds to his great story. He was the great horse he was because of the great support he had (Penny Tweedy – owner, Lucian Laurin – trainer, Ron Turcotte – jockey, Eddie Sweat – groom, and Charlie Davis – exercise rider). Secretariat also had an equine friend, Billy Silver, who often accompanied him, while traveling, for emotional support. There are some really wonderful books that chronicle this great horse’s life. I highly recommend the reads.
I ❤️ SECRETARIAT
Love this website.
There will NEVER be another that comes close to what he was! A privilege to be part of his generation. Thank you Secretariat for raising the bar unreachably high!!!
I would like any kind of memorabilia of Eddie Sweat who loved “Big Red” more than anyone without much monetary pay.
Thank you for your note. We know of a few items relating to Mr. Sweat we can source for you. Please contact us if you are interested, and we will be happy to assist.
I really want a secretariat visor to wear for the summer! Please hurry…I’m ready to order!
Please never let the story of the Great American Athlete Die.My first Derby.He lifted the country in a time we needed it.
Hello from Dayton Ohio
There has Never, EVER been a horse so grand to step hoof onto a track. Secretariat.
Take in the glorious past, and take off into the future. The new Secretariat.com — Go Baby Go!
I hope the Secretariat Vox Populi award will continue into the future. I have a nominee in mind I’m hoping to vote on this fall!
Thank you for all you do! Secretariat will live in our hearts forever!❤️
I always loved horse racing. It was something my dad and I shared together. Watching the Triple Crown on television with him in 1973 was amazing. All 3 records still stand today. The Belmont still gives me chills when I watch it today. I will never forget the bond we had together. My dad, Myself, and Secretariat.
Just the name “Secretariat” still brings a tear in my eyes. I’m 86 years old and I guess Secretariat will remain a hero in my heart. I love the story of the great devotion between that big “red horse” and his devotion to his groomer Eddie Sweat who loved Secretariat beyond words.
So glad to see that Secretariat.com will continue with informative content (love Haskin!) and unique offerings. Thank you for years of “go to” for greatness!
My husband and I were lucky enough to see Secretariat win the Kentucky Derby. Magnificent horse.
I have the Legacy bòok and the Meadows. Delicious! I just checked and they’re both available on Amazon
I have mentioned both to people who don’t realize the extent of his influence and how many of his decendants trace back to him to this day. I look forward to the new website!
Vou ler os livros que você indicou , no Brasil temos vários descendentes do Secretariat correndo
I love horse racing and especially love Secretariat a beautiful animal and champion.
Buenas tardes
requiero la programación de la primera carrera en la que debuto SECRETARIAT, y llego 4°; los datos de paso por la meta, tiempo, la diferencia del 1° al 2 °, distancia y pista mil gracias
I was at that 1973 Kentucky Derby. My dad got us tickets that had us standing on the outside of the first turn. We had gotten there early and were right up against the chain link fence that was the only thing separating us from the track. I still have my picture taken with a tiny instamatic of Big Red being led by Eddie Sweat together with the rest of the field from the barns to the saddling paddock. They aren’t even 20 feet from me. And pictures snapped as the field rounded the first turn and others as the field was pulling up after the race was over. I also have my parents’ mint julep glasses.
Let Secretariat’s record stand until the end of time!!!!
Secretariat is my favorite racehorse and I know all about him. And I love what Penny Chenery said . You Never Know how Far you can go unless you run. Secretariat.com is definitely the website for Secretariat fans. Im a Secretariat fan as well.
Such a fan of Secretariat, and Secretariat.com. I owned a stallion son of General Assembly, grandson of Secretariat, who fell on hard times and blessed me with the chance to rescue him. My whole life has been divided into three sections, before that horse, with that horse, and now. I have had and known many, many horses, but he was a whole different species. Hoping Secretariat.com continues successfully, and especially that the Vox Populi Award is maintained.
I love your statement 1 only watched Big Red from my color television in Manchester England, but what a wonderful horse he was. I did go to Kentucky to see the statue when I moved to the States later and I could only imagine the feeling of excitement you must have felt. I only wish I could have seen him in person.
I was a college student working part time in a department store the day of the Belmont. I went to the electronics department on my break to watch the race. At the end of the race when it seemed that the rest of the field was just making the final turn when Big Red was about to cross the finish line I had goose bumps. It was the most amazing thing I ever saw in sports. The picture of Ron Turcott looking back at the filed hangs in my den to this day. It made me a racing fan for life.
Secretariat you will forever be the greatest of all time.. I will never not get chills when I see you running on a track or alone in a field. Thank you for all you given my heart and to the world. Gone but never ever forgotten. Big Red always
So happy when his track record at the Preakness was made official. He was so much larger than life.
50+ years and his TC records still stand.
His Belmont stands next to DiMaggio’s 56 game hitting streak, Ted Williams’ .406 batting average – unchallenged.
I’m awaiting Steve’s return – impatiently.
There was only 1 GOAT in sports history ,and that GOAT was a horse , SECRETARIAT
Can’t wait
Enjoy haskins derby takes. Followed him from blood horse.!