The question of who is the greatest racehorse of all time is a hotly debated topic, with opinions divided between a number of champions. While opinions may vary, there is one horse that is widely accepted as the greatest of all time – Secretariat. This remarkable horse won the Triple Crown in 1973, establishing himself as a legend in the sport of horse racing. In this article, we will explore the incredible career of Secretariat and why he is considered to be the greatest racehorse of all time.
The Early Life of Secretariat
Secretariat was born in 1970 at Meadow Stud in Virginia, the son of Bold Ruler and Somethingroyal. He was a big, strong foal, standing at 16.2 hands, and had perfect confirmation, showing the potential to become a great racehorse.
Secretariat was bought as a yearling by the owner of Meadow Stud, Christopher Chenery, and trained by his son, Lucien. During his early training, Secretariat showed immense promise and soon became a hot favorite to win the Triple Crown.
The Rise to Fame
Secretariat made his debut in the 1972 Arlington Invitational Stakes, finishing fourth. But he soon began to show his true potential, winning the Bay Shore Stakes and the Wood Memorial Stakes. These wins cemented Secretariat’s place as the favorite to win the Triple Crown.
The Triple Crown
Secretariat’s Triple Crown campaign began with a stunning win in the Kentucky Derby, setting a new track record of 1:59.4. He then went on to win the Preakness Stakes, setting another track record of 1:53.4.
Secretariat then entered the Belmont Stakes as the favorite to become the first Triple Crown winner since 1948. He did not disappoint, winning the race by an astonishing 31 lengths in a world-record time of 2:24.
The Legacy of Secretariat
Secretariat’s Triple Crown victory made him a household name, and he was soon inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. He was also named Horse of the Year in 1972 and 1973, and was the first horse to ever be awarded the title of “Greatest Racehorse of the 20th Century” by The Blood-Horse magazine.
Secretariat’s legacy as the greatest racehorse of all time has been further cemented with the launch of the Secretariat Foundation, which promotes the sport of horse racing and supports retired racehorses.
Conclusion
Secretariat’s remarkable career speaks for itself. His Triple Crown victory, world-record times, and numerous awards make him one of the most legendary horses in history. His legacy continues to live on through the Secretariat Foundation and his place as the greatest racehorse of all time is firmly established.