Secretariat transcended the sport of horse racing, even inspiring a movie by Disney.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — One hundred-fifty-one horses have won the Kentucky Derby. Only one was Secretariat.
Big Red captured the attention of the sport and became an American icon, even inspiring a Disney movie long after his racing career.
Before he won his Triple Crown in memorable fashion, the sport had gone a generation without witnessing the feat.
In 1948, Citation became the seventh horse in an 18-year span to win the Triple Crown. He was the last one to do so for 25 years.
“You’re reminded that winning those three races in a short time span is very difficult to do, and it takes a special horse in special circumstances to do it,” said Chris Goodlett, senior director of curatorial and education at the Kentucky Derby Museum.
In 1973, that special horse was Secretariat.
“When we look back historically, we were in the midst of the Vietnam War at that time as well,” Goodlett said. “A lot of people paint Secretariat is kind of a hero that people could gather around.”
He galloped to victory at Churchill Downs in just under two minutes. Secretariat went on to win the Preakness, setting the stage for history.
Goodlett points out that he won the Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths, a jaw-dropping distance you can rewatch at the museum.
There is an exhibit dedicated to Secretariat on the second floor. There are replays of his victories, trophies and other items including a movie poster, bourbon bottle, and a customized U.K. basketball jersey.