Description

A memorabilia visionary of sorts, Meadow Stable exercise rider Jimmy Gaffney realized early on that anything connected with Secretariat might someday be of historic value. A key member of the mighty Meadow Stable racing team, Gaffney was intricately involved with the day-to-day activities of Secretariat during the colt’s crucial formative period in 1972 and early 1973. Known for his great hands and the ability to get the best out of a young horse, Jim was one of the first to recognize the talent and potential greatness in the Bold Ruler colt he affectionately called “the big red machine.” And it was Gaffney who first clued famed sports author William Nack in on Secretariat’s talent and his connection to the colt is chronicled in Nack’s “Secretariat, The Making of A Champion,” as well as Raymond Woolfe’s book, “SECRETARIAT” — both detailing how Gaffney worked to hone the horse’s incredible ability and develop the invaluable rapport between horse and rider.

Early in Secretariat’s career even prior to his maiden race, Gaffney began acquiring the future champion’s worn nails and racing plates when he was regularly shod. Working in concert with groom Eddie Sweat and regular farrier George Collins during each shodding session, Gaffney developed a retrieval ritual of sorts, recovering the cast-off artifacts and meticulously cataloging each piece and its collection date.

“The first time I got on Secretariat in mid April of 1972, I felt a power in him I had never felt in another horse and had a feeling he was headed for greatness….” ~ Jim Gaffney

The rarity of these original race-worn nails cannot be overstated, as evidenced by an individual 1973 Belmont Stakes worn nail commanding a world record price of $28,000 at auction in 2018. Secretariat.com is proud to make available a small inventory of the very few authenticated race-worn nails known to exist – each individually cataloged as part of a formal registry documenting their origin and provenance.

Original race-worn nails originating from Gaffney’s Secretariat collection should be considered historically significant, not only due to their connection to the legendary racehorse, but also because they carry the indisputable provenance of one man’s admiration and belief in equine excellence. While Gaffney modestly referred to himself as only “one of the spokes in the wheel” in Big Red’s career, Jim was certainly much more in his tireless efforts to contribute, protect and perpetuate Secretariat’s everlasting legacy.

Framed nail displays can be custom designed to suit your preference, with the option of creatively incorporating a treasure trove of associated memorabilia including photography, original (or facsimile) track programs, admission or pari-mutuel tickets, vintage pin-back buttons, engraved brass nameplates. A wide variety of frame molding and matting selections are available for any display as well as protective UV-resistant museum glass. A sampling of previous displays are shown above.

Race-worn nails and optional framed displays are available for Secretariat’s 1972 Maiden Win, Belmont Futurity, Champagne/Laurel Futurity (Secretariat wore the same shoes in both races), Garden State Stakes, and a singular 1973 Belmont Stakes Triple Crown-winning nail. Please contact information@secretariat.com for pricing and more details.