Secretariat 50th Anniversary Events
“Secretariat: Larger than Life” Traveling Tour
Festivities for 1973 Triple Crown Champion
Throughout this golden anniversary year, the “Secretariat: Larger Than Life” 50th Anniversary Tour is celebrating the legendary racehorse and his record-setting and historic Triple Crown sweep in 1973.
The Secretariat: Larger Than Life Tour showcases the National Museum of Racing’s traveling exhibition of Secretariat’s Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont, and Triple Crown trophies, along with artifacts, video footage, and interactive elements. The tour has been coinciding with several racetrack-related festivities and special appearances, while also offering commemorative 50th Anniversary merchandise. Sculptor Jocelyn Russell’s impressive 21-foot long Virginia-bound bronze monument of Secretariat serves as the symbolic centerpiece of the Tour, thrilling audiences at racing venues across the country.
The Secretariat: Larger Than Life 50th Anniversary Tour kicked off in Louisville, Kentucky before embarking on the Triple Crown trail with stops at Churchill Downs, Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland and Belmont Park in Elmont, New York — the racetracks where Secretariat’s name was forged into legend. For other 50th anniversary-related events, please see below.
CLICK HERE FOR A SAMPLING OF RECENT SECRETARIAT HEADLINES AND MEDIA FEATURES
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New Kent, Virginia: September 8-9
The Secretariat.com team will be set up at Colonial Downs along with the larger-than-life Secretariat bronze monument and the National Museum of Racing’s traveling exhibition “A Tremendous Machine” featuring the 1973 Triple Crown trophies during the duration of the Virginia Derby weekend Festivities. Stop by and say hello to the bronze artist Jocelyn Russell and have your picture taken with her magnificent art piece at the front entrance or peruse the priceless artifacts of the exhibition onsite. And don’t miss the official Secretariat merchandise booth offering a wide selection of official products, autographed artwork and photography featuring the Commonwealth’s favorite equine son.
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Paris, Kentucky: November 10–12
The Secretariat 50th Anniversary Tour will culminate in the heart of horse country when the Secretariat Festival returns to its Bluegrass roots in Paris, Kentucky. This year the Festival will coincide with the 50th anniversary date of Secretariat’s arrival at Claiborne Farm where he stood at stud following his illustrious racing career. The Festival will be held as part of “The “Legends of Bourbon County” festivities surrounding the November 11 dedication of the Secretariat Park in downtown Paris and subsequent unveiling of the Park’s newest Jocelyn Russell bronze sculpture of Secretariat running in his paddock at Claiborne. The multitude of activities surrounding this greatly anticipated event includes specialty tours of Claiborne and other famed horse farms, “Welcome Home” Main St. Parade, Friday evening kick-off party, Saturday evening gala, 10K run, live and silent auctions, celebrity guest appearances, shopping opportunities at the Thoroughbred Marketplace featuring official Secretariat merchandise and an array of equine-related products and much, much more. Make your plans now to attend this very special family-fun Fall gathering.
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Additional tour stops may be announced at later dates.
“I don’t think we will ever see another horse like him.”
~ Ron Turcotte
