Secretariat inspired and touched so many of us! He exhibited heart, courage, the will to win, and stood for all things good in our sport. Pure and noble, he remains a hero to new and old fans alike. We welcome you to leave your comments in this public guestbook so we can share your thoughts and memories with other visitors.
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geraldine (Gerri) lisinski
wrote on May 29, 2023 at 7:47 pm
I was at Secretariat's grave in May 2013 and had taken pictures by his tombstone and his dad Bold Ruler as well as all the others.
I had also viewed the stable where he was. I enjoyed every minute being there. I had opportunity to to see Blame and guide had given me part of his mane for memento.
Upon returning to FL, managed to get in touch with Charlie Davis and had lunch with him near Double Diamond Horse Farm in Ocala, FL.
Charlie told me sooooooo much about Secretariat. He personally autographed a picture for me showing Charlie on top of Secretariat and Eddie Sweat coming to take him back to stable. The picture was taken when the team was at Saratoga Springs. I treasure the picture so much. Many friends take a picture with their phones. I am grateful I had opportunity to witness his greatest run at Belmont. Keep running!!!!
Darlene Broderick
wrote on May 8, 2023 at 1:37 pm
Secretariat, I have always and continue to be such a fan. I was fortunate enough to see you race as a kid and have forever been obsessed at such a wonderful and unbelievable horse. Have read everything about you and hope one day to visit your memorable and pay my respect and say hello. The best racehorse of all time! Love you Big Red!
Russell Cardenas
wrote on May 7, 2023 at 7:58 am
Once again the derby winner Mage traces back to Secretariat by way of his grandson summer squall thru his daughter weekend surprise. Of course generations back still more testimony to his ubiquitous presence in the modern breed thru a variety of paths, not just thru one or two daughters. His value as a broodmare stallion soars as he did. Sec, congrats on the 50th anniversary of your derby record. It still holds. rac
Tori Mendonca
wrote on May 3, 2023 at 10:22 pm
Happy 50th Triple Crown Anniversary Secretariat! You made my heart soar that 1st Saturday in May 1973. While I was a child I was hooked already on Horses, but you brought that Love to a new level and it’s been there ever since! Thank You for being the greatest Horse, ever and after 50 years you still take my breath away
Doug
wrote on May 1, 2023 at 12:05 am
Have been reading alot about Secretariat. And the Kentucky Derby. Very interesting. He sounds like he was a great horse. I was born may 5th 1973 in Louisville, KY. The day he won the Kentucky Derby. So this is neat to me. And yep his 1973 Kentucky Derby win and I are hitting the big 5 0. Thanks for having this website.
Rick
wrote on April 12, 2023 at 4:32 pm
Happy 54th birthday tomorrow Riva Ridge (1969).
One of my very favorite horses. You may be gone but the faithful will always remember!
Tomorrow is also the day Bill Nack passed away in 2018. He had a wonderful way with words!
I miss you both!
Michael L Duszynski
wrote on March 31, 2023 at 12:23 am
Happy 53. Charles Hatton summed up the Secretariat Legacy perfectly when he penned these words post Belmont and coronation .....
" His only point of reference is himself".
Also hallmark the words of CBS MC Jack Whitaker on Belmont Day .... " There are those of you who do not know who or what Secretariat is at this time, those of you who are stranded on some south Pacific island or lost deep in the Amazonian Jungle"
The spring of 1973 was .. the rain, the park, nixon, vietnam, watergate, The Edgar Winter Group, Secretariat, ..... and other things.
Rick
wrote on March 29, 2023 at 4:28 pm
Happy 53rd birthday tomorrow Champ! The 50th anniversary of your Triple Crown victories is almost upon us. It's hard to wrap my head around the fact that it was a half century ago. I remember it like it was yesterday!
Tracy McKay
wrote on March 28, 2023 at 12:25 pm
Just sending early Birthday wishes to the greatest Horse ever Secretariat March 30th 1970 and also remembering Man O'War whose Birthday is March 29th. Will be reflecting by reading Biographies of these Two great Champions. Cheers to all Secretariat Fans!
Sandy Schroeter
wrote on February 24, 2023 at 10:37 am
I have my "Big Red Machine" print framed and in a prominent place. The power and presence of Secretariat inspires me every day, as does the graceful ride of Ron Turcotte.
Cindy Thomas
wrote on January 31, 2023 at 9:12 pm
50 years and still brings feelings like no other. The visits with Big Red and all the pictures I have for memories, the conversations with Ron and Ms Penny, I will cherish them forever. And to all those that join me in remembering 50 years of greatness, thank you!
Peggy Cresswell
wrote on January 24, 2023 at 11:27 pm
Penny, thinking of you on your birthday with love and admiration.
Russell Cardenas
wrote on January 7, 2023 at 3:46 pm
After the Belmont, Chick Anderson, who called the race, commented on the other horses in the field: " I suppose you can't be embarrassed after being defeated by the greatest horse of this past century...". We are still taken away by his performances some 50 yrs later. I believe he still holds 2 of the 3 track records he set in the Triple Crown. He holds the stakes record in each event. And don't forget the world record he set in the Marlboro Stakes, still in effect as a track record I believe. Also don't forget the course record he set in the Man O'War stakes. As a stakes record, that performance was never bettered at the distance of 1.5 miles. And in the Canadian International on grass, his final event, he set a margin of victory record of just under 7 lengths despite running through less than ideal weather conditions. A truly great he was.
Tim Dean
wrote on January 1, 2023 at 5:12 am
I want to wish all of the SECRETARIAT FAN'S a very Happy and healthy 2023 New Year...
Tracy McKay
wrote on December 17, 2022 at 5:45 pm
Just heard that Bob Coglianese Died Dec 16th.Condolences to his family. Great Photographer. Wonderful pictures of Secretariat seems like we are rapidly losing the old guard but not the memories they invoke. Tracy McKay.
Lisa Beaumont
wrote on November 24, 2022 at 6:52 pm
I remember watching Secretariat as a kid and my Dad loved horses. I remember him talking about this wonderful horse. I still watch Secretariats races on YouTube...it brings me joy to see this wonderful perfect animal that GOD created!
Ken Dibos
wrote on November 14, 2022 at 7:25 pm
Being from New Orleans, I was introduced to horse racing by my Dad at the Fair Grounds Racetrack. I can still remember watching all 3 Triple Crown races with him in our living room. I remember how excited we both got at watching the margin of victory at the Belmont! What a race! To this day, hardly a week goes by without me watching something about Secretariat. To me, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness show just how special a horse he was as much if not more than the Belmont, because he broke dead last in both of those, and when he was ready, he started passing horses like they were standing still! I had never seen a horse with such power and speed like that before or since! What a horse!
russ
wrote on November 9, 2022 at 9:47 am
Despite a stout, determined and memorable effort by Life Is Good, clearly the best of the rest, Flightline's staying power overcame and delivered a wide margine victory of 8+ lengths in the Breeders Cup ensuring his entry into the HOF. Probably the best since Ghostzapper and possib ly beyond, it is hoped that in his retirement to stallion he will be able to extend that great x-factor line that M. Haun identified in her studies of Secretariat's pedigree. X-factor encompasses a large heart gene trait giving horses extra stamina and usually passed on thru broodmare stallions. She highlighted Princiquillo and War Admiral as highly influential in the passing on of this trait. Flightline has 2 paths to Princiquillo on the Dam side, one thru Indian Charlie , the other thru Storm Cat whose broodmare stallion was Secretariat. Should Flightline become a standout broodmare stallion, we'll have an idea why. Secretariat lives on.
russ
russ cardenas
wrote on November 7, 2022 at 7:39 am
Despite a stout, determined and memorable performance by Life Is Good, Flightline's staying power overcame and delivered a wide margine victory of 8+ lengths in the Cup Saturday ensuring his entry into the HOF. Probably the best since Ghostzapper and possib ly beyond, it is hoped that in his retirement to stallion he will be able to extend that great x-factor line that M. Haun identified in her studies of Secretariat's pedigree. X-factor has to do with a large heart trait giving horses extra stamina and usually passed on thru broodmare stallions. She highlighted Princiquillo and War Admiral as highly influential in the passing on of this trait. Flightline has 2 paths to Princiquillo on the Dam side, one thru Indian Charlie , the other thru Storm Cat whose broodmare stallion was Secretariat. Should Flightline become a good broodmare stallion, we'll have an idea why.
russ
russ
wrote on October 29, 2022 at 2:47 pm
Just a side note about the horse Flightline who has captured the imagination of race lovers, a new superhorse? We will see on Breeders Cup Saturday. For those who are familiar with the writings of Mariana Haun, the researcher who identified what is called the X-factor, the large heart factor in Thoroughbreds. Flightline through his dam line can be traced to Terlingua, Secretariat and finally Princiquillo, the great broodmare stallion that Haun identified as the most influential contributor to large thoroughbred hearts. This line ultimately leads to the 18th century mare Pocahontes, the Dam of the family line of some of the greatest racers in history. Flightline's Broodmare stallion also has heavy x-factor influence through Najinsky and others. Flightline's 20 length win in the pacific was no accident. He has the endurance to sustain strong speeds over a long distance. Should he easily dominate the Cup, we'll have some idea why. He has strong X-factor influence through lines leading to Secretariat and others. Of course speed is important as well, but to sustain it is what separates him from the rest.
russ
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