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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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
Charles Justice
wrote on October 21, 2022 at 10:22 am
Dear Mr. Turcotte -
I missed your birthday, but totally enjoyed every aspect of your riding and press comments about Secretariat.
Take care.
Always 🍁!
Chuck Justice
Tracy McKay
wrote on October 3, 2022 at 5:57 pm
Taking time today to Remember Will Harbut. Who dedicated many years to Man O' War. he died Oct 3rd 1947. Grooms through History are largely Forgotten and like their Famous Charges need to be Honored.
jack miller
wrote on September 30, 2022 at 2:53 pm
I was a 12 year old, horse-crazy girl in 1973. I was glued to the TV watching Secretariat's Triple Crown races. I was cheering and crying at the end of the Belmont. It remains the most thrilling race I've ever watched and I watch the rerun at least once a year. He is my favorite athlete of all time. Truly magnificent. Thanks for creating a website so we can all share.
Tracy McKay.
wrote on September 9, 2022 at 8:21 pm
I was so moved to see the memorial to the Queen including the Great Ambassador of Equine Royalty. Growing up in Canada to English parents we were always aware of The Monarchy and the Queen was always talked about with great Reverence and Admiration. Secretariat always holds a special place in my Heart and now Two special Souls are together.
Steven Levine
wrote on July 23, 2022 at 2:17 pm
Dear Mr. Turcotte Thanks for all the thrills over the years. Wishing you a very Happy & Healthy Birthday with many more to come. God bless you and your family. Steven
Barbara Braun
wrote on July 22, 2022 at 11:41 pm
Ron: Hope you have the happiest of birthdays. You are the best! Thanks for all you do to help jockeys and horseracing. Just saw your documentary and loved it! Take care!
Russell Cardenas
wrote on July 22, 2022 at 10:54 pm
happy birth day Ron... you are the last of the Mohekans, one of the great riders during the American golden age of racing. You rode some the greatest names in racing against some the greatest, and many, including you, hanging on the Walls in the Hall of Fame. You were there. The stories you must have. Happy Birthday. Many more. God Bless.
rac
Dale
wrote on July 22, 2022 at 9:36 pm
Happy Birthday Mr. Turcotte. You and your mounts are dream and memory makers. Have a blessed Birthday and enjoy many more.
D.B.
Dale
wrote on July 22, 2022 at 9:36 pm
Happy Birthday Mr. Turcotte. You and your mounts are dream and memory makers. Have a blessed Birthday and enjoy many more.
D.B.
Lori L Engelberg
wrote on July 22, 2022 at 3:44 pm
Hi Mr. Ron !!! I had the distinct honor and pleasure to meet you twice in 2013. #1-at the Secretariat Birthday Celebration at The Meadow Event Park VA(March 30) AND #2-at the Preakness Roundtable Discussion @ the AFI Theater in Silver Spring MD.(May). You are a very kind, compassionate man and a HUGE INSPIRATION to me. So I would like to wish you a VERY HAPPY 81st BIRTHDAY today. 🙂 <3 <3
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