In the fall of 1989, Secretariat became afflicted with laminitis—a painful and debilitating hoof condition. When his condition failed to improve after a month of treatment, he was euthanized on October 4 at the age of 19. Secretariat was buried at Claiborne Farm, given the rare honor of being buried whole (traditionally only the head, heart, and hooves of a winning race horse are buried). At the time of Secretariat's death, the veterinarian who performed the necropsy, Dr. Thomas Swerczek, head pathologist at the University of Kentucky, did not weigh Secretariat's heart, but stated, "We just stood there in stunned silence.
Death
Secretariat (horse)
Secretariat (horse) | Death
Secretariat became afflicted with laminitis—a painful and debilitating hoof condition. When his condition failed to improve after a month of treatment, he was euthanized. He became afflicted with laminitis—a painful and debilitating hoof condition. His condition failed to improve after a month of treatment, for laminitis Secretariat became afflicted with laminitis—a painful and debilitating hoof condition which failed to improve after a month of treatment.
how many lengths did secretariat win the belmont stakes
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31 lengths.
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who was "secretariat"?
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An American Thoroughbred racehorse.
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who owned this horse?
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Penny Chenery.
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how many years did it's career is racing last?
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From 1972 to 1973.
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which was the last race the horse competed in?
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Canadian International Stakes .
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where is this competition held?
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Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario.
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who built this racetrack?
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The Ontario Jockey Club under E.P. Taylor.
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how did the above mentioned horse die?
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He was euthanized.
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why was he euthanized?
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In the fall of 1989, Secretariat became afflicted with laminitis—a painful and debilitating hoof condition. When his condition failed to improve after a month of treatment, he was euthanized on October 4 at the age of 19. Secretariat was buried at Claiborne Farm, given the rare honor of being buried whole (traditionally only the head, heart, and hooves of a winning race horse are buried). At the time of Secretariat's death, the veterinarian who performed the necropsy, Dr. Thomas Swerczek, head pathologist at the University of Kentucky, did not weigh Secretariat's heart, but stated, "We just stood there in stunned silence.
Secretariat (horse) | Death
We couldn't believe it. The heart was perfect. There were no problems with it. It was just this huge engine." Later, Swerczek also performed a necropsy on Sham, who died in 1993. Swerczek did weigh Sham's heart, and it was . Based on Sham's measurement, and having necropsied both horses, he estimated Secretariat's heart probably weighed , or about 2.5 times that of the average horse (). An extremely large heart is a trait that occasionally occurs in Thoroughbreds, hypothesized to be linked to a genetic condition, called the "x-factor", passed down in specific inheritance patterns. The x-factor can be traced to the historic racehorse Eclipse, who was necropsied after his death in 1789.
Secretariat (horse) | Death
Because Eclipse's heart appeared to be much larger than the hearts of other horses, it was weighed, and found to be , almost twice the normal weight. Eclipse is believed to have passed the trait on via his daughters, and pedigree research verified that Secretariat traces his dam line to a daughter of Eclipse. Secretariat's success as a broodmare sire has been linked by some to this large heart theory. However, it has not been proven whether the x-factor exists, let alone if it contributes to athletic ability.
Secretariat (horse) | Death
When in full stride, his hind legs were able to reach far under himself, increasing his drive. His ample girth, long back and well-made neck all contributed to his heart-lung efficiency. The manner in which Secretariat's body parts fit together determined the efficiency of his stride, which affected his acceleration and endurance. Even very small differences in the length and angles of bones can have a major effect on performance. Secretariat was well put together even as a two-year-old, and by the time he was three, he had further matured in body and smoothed out his gait. The New York Racing Association's Dr.
Secretariat (horse) | Appearance and conformation
Secretariat." His wife said he had suffered a "nervous breakdown brought on by overwork."
Abraham Feller | Personal life and death
The same disease has also led to the death of fellow Triple Crown winner Secretariat and Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro. He was buried whole—the ultimate honor for a race horse—at Jonabell Farm, wearing the flamingo pink colors of his original owners, Harbor View Farm.
Affirmed | Stud record
Secretariat wintered in Florida but did not race until March 17, 1973 in the Bay Shore Stakes at Aqueduct, where he went off as the heavy favorite. As the trainer of one of his opponents put it, "The only chance we have is if he falls down." Racing boxed in by horses on each side, Turcotte decided to go through a narrow gap between horses rather than try to circle the field. Secretariat broke free and won easily, but one of the other jockeys claimed that Secretariat had committed a foul going through the hole. The stewards reviewed photos from the race and determined that Secretariat was actually on the receiving end of a bump, so let the result stand.
Secretariat (horse) | 1973: Three-year-old season
I absolutely could not fault him in any way. And neither could the rest of them and that was the amazing thing about it. The body and the head and the eye and the general attitude. It was just incredible. I couldn't believe my eyes, frankly." In August, Secretariat entered the Sanford Stakes, facing off with highly regarded Linda's Chief, the only horse ever to be favored against Secretariat in any of his races. Entering the stretch, Secretariat was blocked by the horses in front of him but then made his way through "like a hawk scattering a barnyard of chickens" on his way to a three-length win.
Secretariat (horse) | 1972: Two-year-old season
Synchronised was euthanised after he incurred a leg fracture during the 2012 Grand National. Despite being the market leader in the weeks leading to up the race, he had started the race as third-favourite, behind Seabass and Shakalakaboomboom. He appeared nervous at the start when he unseated his jockey, Tony McCoy, as the horses were preparing to line up for the race. The start was delayed until the loose horse was caught. He fell at Becher's Brook, the sixth fence on the first circuit, unseating McCoy, who suffered a soft-tissue injury, but the horse did not appear to have sustained serious injury.
Synchronised (horse) | Death
"I was learning then that anything could happen in horse racing," said Chenery. "We knew he had a low-grade infection. But we decided he was strong enough to win anyway, and we were wrong." Secretariat lost his appetite and acted sluggishly for several days. Charles Hatton wrote: "He seemed distressingly ill walking off, and he missed the Travers. Returned to Belmont to point for the $250,000 Marlboro, the sport's pin-up horse looked bloody awful, rather like one of those sick paintings which betoken an inner theatre of the macabre. It required supernatural recuperative powers to recover as he did. He was subjected to four severe preps in two weeks.
Secretariat (horse) | Whitney Stakes
In 1974, Paul Mellon commissioned a bronze statue, sometimes known as "Secretariat in Full Stride", from John Skeaping. The life-size statue remained in the center of the walking ring at Belmont Park until 1988 when it was replaced by a replica. The original is now located at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. The Kentucky Horse Park has two other life-sized statues of Secretariat. The first, created by Jim Reno in 1992, shows Secretariat as an older sire, while the second, completed by Edwin Bogucki in 2004, shows him being led into the winner's circle after the Kentucky Derby.
Secretariat (horse) | Statues
While in his paddock on February 22, 2007, he reportedly suffered a heart attack and died.
Is It True (horse) | Death
"To us, he was Big Red, and he had a personality. He was a clown and was always cutting up, always into some devilment." Some time later, Chenery got her first look at the foal and made a one word entry in her notebook: "Wow!" That fall, Chenery and Elizabeth Ham, the Meadow's longtime secretary, worked together to name the newly weaned colt. The first set of names submitted to the Jockey Club (Sceptre, Royal Line, and Something Special) played on the names of his sire and dam, but were rejected. The second set, submitted in January 1971, were Games of Chance, Deo Volente ("God Willing"), and Secretariat, the last suggested by Ham based on her previous job associated with the secretariat of the League of Nations (the predecessor of the United Nations).
Secretariat (horse) | Early years
He continued running riderless until attempting to jump the 11th fence where he incurred a fracture of the tibia and fibula in his right-hind leg and racecourse vets had to euthanise him. Three days after the National, J. P. McManus issued a statement in which he described his "deep sadness and sense of devastation" at the death of Synchronised. He explained that, "losing any horse is very sad but one as brave as Synchronised is a very big loss for all involved." He also revealed that the horse had been buried at Jackdaws Castle.
Synchronised (horse) | Death
Secretariat grew into a massive, powerful horse said to resemble his sire's maternal grandsire, Discovery. He stood when fully grown. He was noted for being exceptionally well-balanced, described as having "nearly perfect" conformation and stride biomechanics. His chest was so large that he required a custom-made girth, and he was noted for his large, powerful, well-muscled hindquarters. An Australian trainer said of him, "He is incredible, an absolutely perfect horse. I never saw anything like him." Secretariat's absence of major conformation flaws was important, as horses with well made limbs and feet are less likely to become injured. Secretariat's hindquarters were the main source of his power, with a sloped croup that extended the length of his femur.
Secretariat (horse) | Appearance and conformation
In January 1973, Christopher Chenery, the founder of Meadow Stables, died and the taxes on his estate forced his daughter Penny to consider selling Secretariat. Together with Seth Hancock of Claiborne Farm, she instead managed to syndicate the horse, selling 32 shares worth $190,000 each for a total of $6.08 million, a world syndication record at the time, surpassing the previous record for Nijinsky who was syndicated for $5.44 million in 1970. Hancock said the sale was easy, citing Secretariat's two-year-old performance, breeding, and appearance. "He's, well, he's a hell of a horse." Chenery retained four shares in the horse and would have complete control over his three-year-old racing campaign, but agreed that he would be retired at the end of the year.
Secretariat (horse) | 1973: Three-year-old season
His final preparatory race for the Kentucky Derby was the Wood Memorial, where he finished a surprising third to Angle Light and Santa Anita Derby winner Sham. Laurin was crushed, even though he had trained the winner, Angle Light, who set a slow pace and "stole" the race. Secretariat's loss was later attributed to a large abscess in his mouth, which made him sensitive to the bit. Before and after the race, there was some ill feeling between Laurin and the trainer of Sham, Pancho Martin, fanned by comments in the press. The dispute concerned the use of coupled entries as Martin had entered two horses in addition to Sham, all with the same owner.
Secretariat (horse) | 1973: Three-year-old season
There was fear that an entry could be used tactically to gang up on another horse. Stung by such insinuations, Martin wound up scratching the two horses that he had originally entered with Sham, and asked Laurin to do the same, but Laurin could not follow suit as Secretariat and Angle Light had different owners.
Secretariat (horse) | 1973: Three-year-old season
After two more important wins in 1932 at age five, Questionnaire was retired to stud for owner James Butler. However, Butler died in 1934, and his estate sold Questionnaire at auction. He was purchased for $15,000 by Helen Hay Whitney's Greentree Stud, Inc. for whom he served stallion duty at their breeding farm in Lexington, Kentucky. Among the successful runners he sired were multiple stakes winners Hash (1936), Requested (1939), Coincidence (1942), Carolyn A. (1944), and Double Brandy (1946). Questionnaire died of colic at age twenty-three on August 25, 1950.
Questionnaire (horse) | At stud
Canadian Bound, however, was a complete failure in racing, and for several years, the value of Secretariat's offspring declined considerably, especially given the rising popularity of Northern Dancer's offspring in the sales ring. Secretariat eventually sired a number of major stakes winners, including:
Secretariat (horse) | Stud career
Ogygian was euthanized March 14, 2015 at Old Friends, due to complications from colic. He had become the facility's oldest living horse following the death of 32-year-old Clever Allemont on May 26, 2014.
Ogygian | Death
When Secretariat first retired to Claiborne Farm, his sperm showed some signs of immaturity, so he was bred to three non-Thoroughbred mares in December 1973 to test his fertility. One of these, an Appaloosa named Leola, produced Secretariat's first foal in November 1974. Named First Secretary, the foal was a chestnut like his sire, but spotted like his dam. Secretariat's first official foal crop, arriving in 1975, consisted of 28 foals, the best of which was Dactylographer, who won the William Hill Futurity in October 1977. The first crop also included Canadian Bound, who at the 1976 Keeneland July sale was the first yearling to break the $1 million barrier, selling for $1.5 million.
Secretariat (horse) | Stud career
In March 2005, Gestüt Olympia in Alpen, Germany announced that the 29-year-old General Assembly had been euthanized due to heart and circulatory problems.
General Assembly (horse) | As a sire
In the 1973 Preakness Stakes on May 19, Secretariat broke last, but then made a huge, last-to-first move on the first turn. Raymond Woolfe, a photographer for the "Daily Racing Form", captured Secretariat launching the move with a leaping stride in the air. This was later used as the basis for the statue by John Skeaping that stands in the Belmont Park paddock. Turcotte later said that he was proudest of this win because of the split-second decision he made going into the turn: "I let my horse drop back, when I went to drop in, they started backing up into me.
Secretariat (horse) | Preakness Stakes
After his retirement from racing, Easy Goer stood stud at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky. He was given the honor of occupying the number one stall in the number one barn. His stall was previously occupied by Bold Ruler and Secretariat. At age eight, in 1994, Easy Goer collapsed and died while jogging in his paddock at Claiborne Farm. Dr. Thomas Swerczek, the veterinary pathologist at the University of Kentucky, who conducted Easy Goer's necropsy, determined the horse died of an anaphylactic reaction to an undetermined allergen and also had cancerous tumors in multiple organs. The veterinarians were convinced the cancer did not kill Easy Goer and probably would not have been fatal for a long time.
Easy Goer | Stud record
Racehorse injuries and fatalities are a side effect of training and competition. The problem with equine injuries is that they so often result in death. A 2005 study by the United States Department of Agriculture found that injuries are the second leading cause of death in horses, second only to old age. Nureyev's recovery from a broken leg while retired at stud in 1987 typifies the struggle horses have after being injured. Two years after Secretariat's recordbreaking US Triple Crown took the sport in the United States to a new level of popularity, the breakdown and death of Ruffian brought on a new era of safety concerns.
Racehorse injuries | Introduction
Most experts believed that even if he survived his racing days were over, and the Zayat family feared that euthanasia would be necessary.
Paynter (horse) | Illness and surgery
He suggests that the caregiver thought the horse was in distress, administered a tranquilliser and, for unknown reasons, the horse died within hours. The remains were cremated and scattered by Hilton in the Los Angeles area at a spot known only to him. Another story claims that Bamboo Harvester, suffering from age related ailments, was euthanized in 1970 with no publicity and buried at Snodgrass Farm in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
Mister Ed | Death
After the race, Secretariat was brought to Aqueduct Racetrack where he was paraded with Turcotte dressed in the Meadow silks before a crowd of 32,990 in his final public appearance. "It's a sad day, and yet it's a great day," said Laurin. "I certainly wish he could run as a 4-year-old. He's a great horse and he loves to run."
Secretariat (horse) | Canadian International Stakes
John Henry was euthanized at 7:05 pm EDT (2305 UTC) on October 8, 2007, at the age of 32. He developed serious kidney problems and stopped responding to veterinary treatment, so the decision was made to put him down. He was buried on the night of his death in front of the Hall of Champions at a spot in front of his paddock. A memorial service was held at the park on October 19.
John Henry (horse) | Death
Star Standard avenged his Gulfstream loss. On October 22, 1997, Star Standard had to be pulled off of the race track during an allowance race at Keeneland. Injuries that had kept him out of racing for a year had taken a more life-threatening surge to a condition known as laminitis, which his grandfather Secretariat was euthanized for. Initially, treatments appeared to be healing; but by early December, he had stopped responding to treatments and could not stand. The decision was made to euthanize him on the morning on December 9, leaving him with the same fate as his grandfather, but at a much younger age.
Star Standard | Four-year-old season
Prospect Point’s health began to rapidly deteriorate in mid 2016. The horse had lost his appetite “out of the blue," and still refused to eat after being placed on antibiotics, losing a great amount of weight in the process. His body shutting down, Earle did not want him to suffer, so she made the decision to euthanize him. Prospect Point was euthanized on September 23, 2016 at the age of 38 years and 204 days. It is unknown as to why Prospect Point lived as long as he did. The average life expectancy for a Thoroughbred is between the ages of 25-28.
Prospect Point (horse) | Death
In 1955, Shannon broke a leg and was humanely euthanized. He is buried in an unmarked grave at Green Gates Farm, which was formerly part of Spendthrift Farm.
Shannon (horse) | Stud record
On March 30, 1970, at 12:10 a.m. at the Meadow Stud in Caroline County, Virginia, Somethingroyal foaled a bright-red chestnut colt with three white socks and a star with a narrow stripe. The foal stood when he was 45 minutes old and nursed 30 minutes later. Howard Gentry, the manager of Meadow Stud, was at the foaling and later said, "He was a very well-made foal. He was as perfect a foal that I ever delivered." The colt soon distinguished himself from the others. "He was always the leader in the crowd," said Gentry's nephew, Robert, who also worked at the farm.
Secretariat (horse) | Early years
Widely recognized for his talent, dedication, and important contributions to Secretariat's racing career, Sweat was the subject of a 2006 book by Lawrence Scanlan, titled "The Horse God Built: Secretariat, His Groom, Their Legacy". There is a life-size statue at the Kentucky Horse Park of Eddie Sweat leading Secretariat and jockey Ron Turcotte to the winner's circle after winning the 1973 Kentucky Derby.
Eddie Sweat | Legacy
Secretariat raced in Meadow Stables' blue-and-white-checkered colors. He never raced in track bandages, but typically wore a blinker hood, mostly to help him focus, but also because he had a tendency to run in towards the rail during races. In January 1972, he joined trainer Lucien Laurin's winter stable at Hialeah. Secretariat gained a reputation as a kind horse, likeable and unruffled in crowds or by the bumping that occurs between young horses. He had the physique of a runner, but at first was awkward and clumsy. He was frequently outpaced by more precocious stable mates, running a quarter-mile in 26 seconds compared to 23 seconds by his peers.
Secretariat (horse) | Racing career
Despite the weather, some 35,000 people turned out to greet Secretariat in a "virtual hysteria.” His biggest opponents were Kennedy Road, whom he had beaten in the Marlboro Cup, and Big Spruce, who had finished third in the Man o' War. Kennedy Road went to the early lead, while Secretariat moved to second after breaking from an outside post. On the backstretch, Secretariat made his move and forged to the lead. "Snorting steam in the raw twilight", he rounded the far turn with a 12-length lead before gearing down in the final furlong, ultimately winning by lengths. Once again, many winning tickets went uncashed by souvenir hunters.
Secretariat (horse) | Canadian International Stakes
After a single, unsuccessful start in 2010 his racing career was ended by injury. He was then retired to become a National Hunt stallion in Ireland.
Ask (horse) | Introduction
Quiz was retired from racing to stand as a breeding stallion at Henham Hall near Wangford in Suffolk. He began his time at Henham at a stud fee of ten guineas for Thoroughbreds and five guineas for "hunting mares". In 1816 his fee rose to sixteen guineas, after he had sired a number of good winners despite attracting "very few mares". By 1822 his fee had fallen back to eleven guineas, and he was being advertised as "the only stallion living out of a Matchem mare". Quiz remained in apparently perfect health until 14 June 1826 when he died at the age of twenty-eight, immediately after covering a mare.
Quiz (horse) | Stud career
Autopsy revealed that heart failure was the cause of his death.
Horse Chestnut (horse) | Background
Sweat once told a reporter, "I guess a groom gets closer to a horse than anyone. The owner, the trainer, they maybe see him once a day. But I lived with him, worked with him." Laurin sent Chenery regular updates on Secretariat's progress, saying that the colt was still learning to run, or that he still needed to lose his baby fat. Chenery recalled that when Secretariat was in training, Lucien once said: "Your big Bold Ruler colt don't show me nothin'. He can't outrun a fat man." But Secretariat made steady progress over the spring. On June 6, he wore blinkers for the first time to keep his attention focused and responded with a half-mile workout in a solid 47 seconds.
Secretariat (horse) | Racing career
While the theory has yet to be proven, it has gained popularity due to the large hearts seen occasionally in his descendants, including Secretariat and Phar Lap.
Eclipse (horse) | Death
He lived in the stall formerly occupied by Horse of the Year John Henry and across the aisle from Cigar, the leading money-earning Thoroughbred until surpassed by Curlin in 2008. On Friday, March 27, 2009, at 11:13 pm, Alysheba was euthanized at the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. "Due to a chronic degenerative spinal condition that led to ataxia and instability, Alysheba fell in his stall yesterday, injuring his right hind femur," said Kathy Hopkins, the Horse Park's director of equine operations. "Complicated by his advanced age, this trauma resulted in severe pain that did not respond to analgesic therapy. The resulting pain and suffering, and the inability to stand unaided, led to a joint decision for euthanasia." Alysheba was buried on March 28 at the Kentucky Horse Park's Hall of Champions, across from the grave of John Henry.
Alysheba | Breeding career and return home
In 1973, BoJack sends a personal question to his idol celebrity Secretariat on what to do when he's sad. Secretariat responds to the question on a talk show by telling BoJack to always look forward in life, and forget about the past. One month later, Secretariat commits suicide by jumping off the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge after he was caught betting on his own horse races. In the present, months after BoJack's memoir has been released, BoJack receives the Golden Globe for "Best Comedy or Musical," despite his book not being a film nor show. Due to the success of his book and his new fame, BoJack decides to star in a film about Secretariat and manages to convince Lenny Turteltaub to produce the film, but he loses the part to Andrew Garfield.
Later (BoJack Horseman) | Plot
He was brought back to stand at stud at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky, but broke a leg in 1923 and was euthanized. He is buried in Claiborne's equine cemetery.
War Cloud | Retirement
He nevertheless enjoyed a long retirement at Kentucky Horse Park before dying at the age of 24.
Cigar (horse) | Introduction
For his first start on July 4, 1972 at Aqueduct Racetrack, Secretariat was made the lukewarm favorite at 3–1. At the start, a horse named Quebec cut in front of the field, causing a chain reaction that resulted in Secretariat being bumped hard. According to jockey Paul Feliciano, he would have fallen if he hadn't been so strong. Secretariat recovered, only to run into traffic on the backstretch. In tenth position at the top of the stretch, he closed ground rapidly and finished fourth, beaten by only lengths. In many of his subsequent races, Secretariat hung back at the start, which Laurin later attributed to the bumping he received in his debut.
Secretariat (horse) | 1972: Two-year-old season
Secretariat also won the two races he had entered prior to the Wood Memorial, the Gotham and Bay Shore Stakes. Sham's trainer, Frank "Pancho" Martin, stated that Secretariat was the horse to beat and the only way to "knock" the horse was to beat him.
1973 Kentucky Derby | Pre-race coverage
Secretariat broke poorly and Onion led from the start, setting a slow pace running well off the rail. Down the backstretch, Turcotte chose to make his move along the rail rather than sweeping wide. Secretariat responded more sluggishly than usual and Turcotte went to the whip. Secretariat closed to within a head on the final turn before Onion pulled ahead in the straight to win by a length. A record crowd of more than 30,000 witnessed what was described as an "astonishing" upset. Despite Jerkens's reputation as the "Giant Killer," Secretariat's stunning loss can possibly be attributed to a viral infection, which caused a low-grade fever and diarrhea.
Secretariat (horse) | Whitney Stakes
I said, 'I don't want to get trapped here.' So I just breezed by them." Secretariat completed the second quarter mile of the race in under 22 seconds. After reaching the lead with furlongs to go, Secretariat was never challenged, and won by lengths, with Sham again finishing second and Our Native in third, a further eight lengths back. It was the first time in history that the top three finishers in the Derby and Preakness were the same; the distance between each of the horses was also the same. The time of the race was disputed. The infield teletimer displayed a time of 1:55 but it had malfunctioned because of damage caused by people crossing the track to reach the infield.
Secretariat (horse) | Preakness Stakes
He died in February 2013.
Hernando (horse) | Introduction
"c = colt, f = filly, g = gelding" Singspiel was euthanised on 1 July 2010 at Newmarket Equine Hospital due to laminitis following an illness. Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock advisor John Ferguson described him as "an outstandingly tough racehorse" who would be "sadly missed".
Singspiel (horse) | Major winners
He stood at stud in Germany and France. He died in 2002 from colic.
Abary (horse) | Introduction
He was retired from racing shortly afterwards and died from a suspected brain haemorrhage in December 2005. On hearing of the horses's death John Dunlop recalled "He made you laugh because he didn't do a tap and it was funny to watch him and our other senior stayer, Orchestra Stall, coming up the gallops like two old gents".
San Sebastian (horse) | Later career, retirement and death
Forego moved to the Kentucky Horse Park in 1979, the year after his last race. He lived there for the rest of his life until his death in 1997. At 27 years of age, Forego broke his near (left) hind leg in a paddock accident and was euthanized.
Forego | Retirement
With Feliciano again up, Secretariat returned to the track on July 15 as the 6–5 favorite. He broke poorly, but then rushed past the field on the turn to win by six lengths. On July 31 in an allowance race at Saratoga, Feliciano was replaced by Ron Turcotte, the regular jockey for Meadow Stables. Turcotte had ridden the colt in several morning workouts, but had missed his first two starts while recovering from a fall. Secretariat's commanding win as the 2–5 favorite caught the attention of veteran sportswriter, Charles Hatton. He later reported, "You carry an ideal around in your head, and boy, I thought, 'This is it.' I never saw perfection before.
Secretariat (horse) | 1972: Two-year-old season
In 2013, Secretariat was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in honor of his victory in the Canadian International 40 years earlier. Secretariat was also the focus of a 2013 segment of "60 Minutes Sports". In March 2016, Secretariat's Triple Crown victory was rated #13 in the "Sports Illustrated" listing of the 100 Greatest Moments in Sports History. Due to Secretariat's enduring popularity, Chenery remained a prominent figure in racing and a powerful advocate for Thoroughbred aftercare and veterinary research until her death in 2017. In 2004, the Maker's Mark Secretariat Center, dedicated to reschooling former racehorses and matching them to new homes, opened at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Secretariat (horse) | Honors and recognition
On June 24, he ran a "bullet", the fastest workout of the day, at 6 furlongs in 1:12 on a sloppy track. Laurin called Chenery at her Colorado home and advised her that Secretariat was ready to race.
Secretariat (horse) | Racing career
Sham was uncharacteristically nervous before the Belmont Stakes and was sweating heavily during the post parade. Under orders, Pincay was to keep Sham with Secretariat from the start. This strategy worked through the first turn and into the backstretch as Secretariat and Sham led the field and then pulled away by a half-dozen lengths with Sham taking a brief lead at several points early in the race until Secretariat bolted ahead of him. The pair were possibly a dozen lengths ahead of the pack when Secretariat increased his pace and Sham fell behind sustaining a hairline fracture of his right-front cannon bone.
Sham (horse) | Belmont Stakes (June 9)
Secretariat broke well on the rail and Sham rushed up beside him. The two ran the first quarter in a quick :23 and the next quarter in a swift :22, completing the fastest opening half mile in the history of the race and opening ten lengths on the rest of the field. After the six-furlong mark, Sham began to tire, ultimately finishing last. Secretariat continued the fast pace and opened up a larger and larger margin on the field. His time for the mile was 1:34, over a second faster than the next fastest Belmont mile fraction in history, set by his sire Bold Ruler, who had eventually tired and finished third.
Secretariat (horse) | Belmont Stakes
Secretariat's record still stands as an American record on the dirt. If the Beyer Speed Figure calculation had been developed during that time, Andrew Beyer calculated that Secretariat would have earned a figure of 139, the highest he has ever assigned. A large crowd had started gathering around the paddock hours before the Belmont, many missing the races run earlier in the day for a chance to see the horses up close. Secretariat and Chenery were greeted with an enthusiasm that Chenery responded to with a wave or smile; Secretariat was imperturbable. A large cheer went up at the break, but as the race went on, the two most commonly reported reactions were disbelief and fear that Secretariat had gone too fast.
Secretariat (horse) | Belmont Stakes
On his retirement from racing he stood as a breeding stallion and had some success as a sire of winners. He died in Turkey in 2005 at the age of nineteen.
Distant Relative (horse) | Introduction
Early leader Shecky Greene set a reasonable pace, then gave way to Sham around the far turn. Secretariat came charging as they entered the stretch and battled with Sham down the stretch, finally pulling away to win by lengths. Our Native finished eight lengths further back in third. On his way to a still-standing track record of 1:59, Secretariat ran each quarter-mile segment faster than the one before it. The successive quarter-mile times were :25, :24, :23, :23, and :23. This means he was still accelerating as of the final quarter-mile of the race. No other horse had won the Derby in less than 2 minutes before, and it would not be accomplished again until Monarchos ran the race in 1:59.97 in 2001.
Secretariat (horse) | Kentucky Derby
He was also ranked second behind Man o' War by both a six-member panel of experts assembled by the Associated Press, and a "Sports Illustrated" panel of seven experts. On October 16, 1999, in a ceremony conducted in the winner's circle at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, the U.S. Postal Service honored Secretariat with a 33-cent postage stamp bearing his image. In 2005, Secretariat was featured in ESPN Classic's show "Who's No. 1?" in the episode "Greatest Sports Performances". He was the only nonhuman on the list, with his run at Belmont ranking second behind Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game. On May 2, 2007, Secretariat was inducted into the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame, marking the first time an animal received this honor.
Secretariat (horse) | Honors and recognition
The 1973 Kentucky Derby on May 5 attracted a crowd of 134,476 to Churchill Downs, then the largest crowd in North American racing history. The bettors made the entry of Secretariat and Angle Light the 3–2 favorite, with Sham the second choice at 5–2. The start was marred when Twice a Prince reared in his stall, hitting Our Native, positioned next to him, and causing Sham to bang his head against the gate, loosening two teeth. Sham then broke poorly and cut himself, also bumping into Navajo. Secretariat avoided problems by breaking last from post position 10, then cut over to the rail.
Secretariat (horse) | Kentucky Derby
M. A. Gilman, a veterinarian who routinely measured leading Thoroughbreds with a goal of applying science to create better ways to breed and evaluate racehorses, measured Secretariat's development from two to three as follows:
Secretariat (horse) | Appearance and conformation
He remained in training in 1926 but his leg problems intensified and he was euthanised at the age of four.
Picaroon (horse) | Introduction
In May 2003, Chester House’s handlers noticed that he wasn’t doing well. A vet visit showed he was anaemic and had contracted pneumonia. Further test showed these were secondary sicknesses as he had developed a type of cancer called Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Chemotherapy began at once in order to save his life, but the illness progressed so rapidly that Juddmonte Farms managers decided to euthanise the horse on June 28, 2003.
Chester House | Death
With a City (April 25, 2003 – April 23, 2006) was a thoroughbred horse. As a foal of 2003, he was a possible contender for the Triple Crown in 2006. However, With a City contracted a mysterious illness at Trackside Louisville on Thursday April 20, 2006. He was euthanized by lethal injection on Sunday, April 23, 2006 after his condition rapidly deteriorated.
With a City | Introduction
He died in 2004, at the age of 86.
Dr. Horse | Introduction
Little more than later, Ruffian was in front by half a length when she changed leads, followed by an audible crack: both sesamoid bones in her right foreleg had snapped. Vasquez tried to pull her up, but the filly would not stop. She went on running, pulverizing her sesamoids, ripping the skin of her fetlock and tearing her ligaments until her hoof was flopping uselessly. Vasquez said it was impossible for him to stop her. She still tried to run and finish the race. Video showed Ruffian was startled by a bird in the infield and took a bad step.
Ruffian (horse) | Final race and death
Secretariat's earnings in 1973 were, at the time, a single-season record.
Secretariat (horse) | Racing statistics
Following the horse's retirement, trainer Van Dusen acquired him and used him as an exercise pony. Clyde Van Dusen was humanely euthanized in 1948 at the age of 22 due to the infirmities of old age.
Clyde Van Dusen (horse) | Retirement
Bill Christine, a former long-time racing writer for the "Los Angeles Times", pointed out that the film made some significant departures from Secretariat's actual history. These include: Steve Haskin, a sportswriter for "The Blood-Horse", had some of the same issues, particularly the omission of Riva Ridge and the staging of the Wood Memorial. He also added: "Although the horses who played Secretariat did not capture the majesty and physical presence of Big Red, the equine stars did well enough, considering there isn't a horse alive who could have done justice to him." A more thorough comparison between the film and history can be drawn from comparing the plot summary to the narrative of events in the actual life of Secretariat.
Secretariat (film) | Departures from actual history
Codex was retired after a career of six wins in fifteen starts. Codex produced three good crops of foals before being found in his stall, paralyzed. On August 20, 1984, he was euthanized. From Codex's 1982 (first) crop came Tartan Stable's Coup de Fusil who emulated her sire by winning three straight Grade I races. From his 1983 crop, came the Grade I winner Badger Land. The 1984 (last) crop was highlighted by Lost Code, who won several Grade 1 races.
Codex (horse) | Retirement
euthanised at age 18 in June 2001. Sire of Alexis Federovna-(GB), Cousin Joe(USA), Draught Breaker (?), Flammarion (USA),Madame Steinlen(GB), Miss Union Avenue (USA), Top Of Your Game (?), & Sainte Addresse(USA).
Steinlen (horse) | Introduction
Secretariat was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1974, the year following his Triple Crown victory. In 1994, "Sports Illustrated" ranked Secretariat #17 in their list of the 40 greatest sports figures of the past 40 years. In 1999, ESPN listed him 35th of the 100 greatest North American athletes of the 20th century, the highest of three non-humans on the list (the other two were also racehorses: Man o' War at 84th and Citation at 97th). Secretariat ranked second behind Man o' War in "The Blood-Horse"'s List of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century.
Secretariat (horse) | Honors and recognition
In 2015, a statue of Secretariat and Ron Turcotte crossing the finish line at the Belmont Stakes was unveiled in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Turcotte's hometown.
Secretariat (horse) | Statues
That year, he was second in the Breeders' Cup Turf to winner Miss Alleged. A gelding, Itsallgreektome was retired to Cardiff Farm in Creston, California. He was euthanized on February 15, 2007, due to the infirmities of old age.
Itsallgreektome | Introduction
Edward Sweat (August 29, 1939 – April 17, 1998) was an American groom in Thoroughbred horse racing who was the subject of the 2006 book by Lawrence Scanlan titled "The Horse God Built: Secretariat, His Groom, Their Legacy".
Eddie Sweat | Introduction
His 1985 performances earned him the 1985 Eclipse Award for American Champion Male Turf Horse. Cozzene was euthanized on October 7, 2008 at Gainesway Farm in Kentucky. The stallion had had melanoma, a disease many gray horses get, for years but it had not caused him any pain until recently.
Cozzene | Introduction
Secretariat (March 30, 1970 – October 4, 1989) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who, in 1973, became the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years. His record-breaking victory in the Belmont Stakes, which he won by 31 lengths, is widely regarded as one of the greatest races in history. During his racing career, he won five Eclipse Awards, including Horse of the Year honors at ages two and three. He was nominated to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1974. In the List of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century, Secretariat is second only to Man o' War (racing career 1919–1920), who also was a large chestnut colt given the nickname "Big Red".
Secretariat (horse) | Introduction
Neil Milbert of the "Chicago Tribune" wrote that Secretariat "ran what may have been the greatest horse race in history." When asked about Secretariat's margin of victory, trainer Lucien Laurin stated: "Naturally, not that big!" He further commented on Sham's performance saying "The horse we had to kill, we did." My Gallant's jockey Ángel Cordero Jr. said Secretariat was "just like a car." Secretariat's jockey Ron Turcotte told the press that he saw the timer on the track hit 2:20 and he told himself "Oh I can make it" and continued to press Secretariat forward to break the course record.
1973 Belmont Stakes | Analysis
Ninety-three never appeared on the lists of stallions whose services were advertised in the "Racing Calendar", and he has no offspring listed in the "General Stud Book". He may have died of natural causes or been euthanised after his final race, although it is possible that he was gelded and used as a hack or hunter.
Ninety-three (horse) | Stud career
After winning her first four races she planned to run in the Gulfstream Park Oaks. After that she was planning to run in the Kentucky Oaks. But on March 15, 2014, Onlyforyou was breezing at Palm Meadows. Things were going well until 1/8 of a mile in to the workout. She took a bad step and suffered a condylar fracture and was euthanized shortly afterwards. Todd Pletcher said, "She had a complex condylar fracture that was displaced and irreparable. She worked and a little bit more than an eighth of a mile into the gallop (out) she took a bad step." He also said "Obviously this is a sad moment."
Onlyforyou (horse) | Death
Petition died of heart failure in 1964 at the Brook Stud.
Petition (horse) | Stud record
Horsey died of cancer at the Georgetown University Hospital.
Outerbridge Horsey (diplomat) | Introduction
His stud fee reached $150,000 for the years 1999 to 2002. In 1988, he was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Deputy Minister died of a malignant tumor at the Ohio State University veterinary hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and was buried at Brookdale Farm.
Deputy Minister (horse) | Retirement
Twice a Prince reared in the starting gate, which delayed the start. Out of the starting gate, Shecky Greene set the pace for the field, while race favorite Secretariat started in last place. Exiting the gate, Sham hit his mouth against the gate and subsequently bumped into Navajo before gaining proper stride. Sham briefly took the lead around the quarter-mile marker, but Shecky Greene quickly retook the lead. Beginning the first turn, Secretariat had moved ahead of only two horses; however, in the next quarter-mile Secretariat moved into sixth position. A half-mile in, Shecky Greene maintained a three length lead over Gold Bag, but his pace had slowed compared to the first quarter.
1973 Kentucky Derby | Race summary
Out of the starting gate, Secretariat and Sham raced evenly through the first turn. Through a half-mile, the two were even. Entering the backstretch and approaching three-quarters of a mile, Secretariat began to distance himself as Sham began to fade, ultimately finishing last. It was later discovered that Sham had suffered a hairline fracture of his right front cannon bone during the race, which ended his racing career. Secretariat continued to extend his advantage for the rest of the race, finishing 31 lengths over the second-place finisher, Twice a Prince. Twice a Prince started slowly and moved along the rail until reaching second position, passing Sham and outpacing My Gallant.
1973 Belmont Stakes | Race summary
After the Personal Ensign, Porter said that he feared Songbird was not completely healthy, so arranged for her to be assessed at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. On August 31, he announced that she had damaged her hind suspensory ligaments, plus a lesion was found on a front distal cannon bone that could have proved catastrophic if she raced again. Dr. Larry Bramlage explained that the injuries probably occurred earlier in the year and were an example of how lameness in a horse can hide. "Horses that don't have any obvious problems but you know their performance is declining, usually you find more than one problem going on," he said.
Songbird (horse) | Retirement
Arrowfield Stud announced the death of Redoute's Choice on 26 March 2019 at the age of 22. The horse was humanely euthanised after suffering a loss of mobility which could not be restored.
Redoute's Choice | Death
Eclipse died due to an attack of colic on 1789, at the age . His skeleton is now housed at the Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire, in the Learning Resource Centre named after him, although it cannot be said for certain whether all the bones displayed are really from Eclipse. His hooves were made into inkstands, although the fact that there are at least five Eclipse-hoof inkstands casts some doubt on the authenticity of some. Hairs from his tail have also been used for decorations. A necropsy on Eclipse found that he had an abnormally large heart (weighing ). This trait has been referred to in the context of thoroughbreds as the "X Factor" Theory.
Eclipse (horse) | Death
As a broodmare, Chris Evert produced graded stakes race winners Wimbledon Star and the filly Six Crowns, who was sired by Secretariat. Six Crowns in turn produced Eclipse Award and Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Chief's Crown. Pensioned in 1990, at age 30 she was euthanized on January 8, 2001 due to the infirmities of old age. She was buried at Three Chimneys Farm's broodmare cemetery.
Chris Evert (horse) | Breeding record
The syndication deal for Secretariat precluded the horse racing past age three. Accordingly, Secretariat's last race was against older horses in the Canadian International Stakes over one and five-eighths miles on the turf at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on October 28, 1973. The race was chosen in part because of long-time ties between E.P. Taylor and the Chenery family, and partly to honor Secretariat's Canadian connections, Laurin and Turcotte. Turcotte missed the race with a five-day suspension: Eddie Maple got the mount. The day of the race was cold, windy and wet, but the Marshall turf course was firm.
Secretariat (horse) | Canadian International Stakes
On May 13, 1974, while training in the grounds of Windsor Castle, Doublet suffered a broken leg. His life was humanely ended.
Doublet (horse) | Death
Sent to stud in 1989, she died as a result of a freak accident when she ran into a stud farm vehicle. She was in foal to Mr. Prospector at the time.
Triptych (horse) | Retirement
Your Majesty died in 1934 at the age of twenty-nine.
Your Majesty (horse) | Stud record
Gabriel rode Eight Belles in the 2008 Kentucky Derby and came under sharp criticism when Eight Belles was euthanized after she'd crossed the finish line, a very game second to Big Brown. In cool-down, she collapsed due to fractures in both front ankles. In a letter to the Kentucky Racing Authority, PETA claimed that the horse was "doubtlessly" injured during the race, and therefore Saez bore some responsibility for the injury and euthanization. Eight Belles' trainer, Larry Jones, has vigorously defended Saez, saying "We have photographs 50 to 70 yards from where this happened and the horse had her ears up .
Gabriel Saez | 2008
After being pensioned from stud duty in November 2008, Seeking the Gold was allowed to continue to reside in one of the stallion barns at Claiborne Farm. Seeking The Gold was humanely euthanized at Claiborne Farm on July 28, 2016 due to the infirmities of old age. On hearing of the horse's death, Shug McGaughey said "He was a very, very successful racehorse. One of my all-time favorites. He gave 110% every time."
Seeking The Gold | Death