The best ever. For those that remember 1973, Secretariat,

[Faygo Kid]

[randys1]

1. I remember

My dad was a huge racing fan, owned modest race horses too.

Secretariat was amazing....

[upaloopa]

2. Just you wait for California Chrome

Had the pleasure of seeing him in the Santa Anita Derby.
A dream horse if there ever was one.
I don't dismiss the cruelty racing does to horses though. Tough to be in this position.

[yallerdawg]

3. These are magnificent athletes

The Triple Crown has to be the most difficult athletic achievement of our time.

Secretariat, Man o' War, Seabiscuit -- legendary horses and legendary stories.

[newfie11]

4. Not only was he a great race horse

He was incredibly beautiful!
I won 3 banana splits on those 3 races from my brother

[Skittles]

5. he was magnificent

but to me, Ruffian will always be tops

[SheilaT]

6. I'm thinking that Secretariat's times in both the Derby

and the Belmont are still records, more than forty years later.

Yeah, I watched all of those and whenever I view those runs on youtube I'm again blown away by how amazing Secretariat was.

I think was was the most impressive thing about his Belmont run was that he took the lead pretty early and kept on running and running. Each quarter was faster than the one before. If I understand racehorse correctly, they love to race. The love the competition of racing against another horse. So for a horse to keep on accelerating like that, well it's just mind-blowing.

[IrishAyes]

19. Yes, Secretariat was still accelerating over the finish line.

His true potential speed was never tapped. I literally cheered and cried for joy at the beauty of his run. Having run casual races on my own horses - once had an Egyptian Arabian mare who couldn't be beat - I know the feeling pretty well, and it's like nothing else on earth. My Sunshine was only 13 hands, one inch above pony size. To illustrate, I was 5'1 at the time and I could rest my chin on her withers. Of course Secretariat could've beat any horse in history at 2-3 miles, but the simple truth is she could've run even him into the ground at anything over 3 miles. I'd stake my life on it, which in effect I did more than once because she was one weird horse. Once I decided to just let her go and see how long she'd run AFTER dropping (when they settle down into their lowest position/fastest speed). After 4 miles I gave in and pulled her up because I was afraid of her injuring herself. But there was no other horse around; she just loved to run.

[maddiemom]

29. Technically a pony is under 14.2. ( A hand is four inches and measured to the top of the withers)rs

[IrishAyes]

32. Not for Egyptian Arabians, the original small desert horse. The original bloodlines,

not always popular in the size-crazy US, were and are horses even though they seldom rose much above 14 hands and many were only 13. Anything approaching 15 hands is not a real Arabian. My Sunshine had a pedigree going back almost as far as records were kept. To call them 'ponies' is a deep affront. I don't need you to define 'hands' for me either, thank you. I was breeding and training these HORSES long enough to know more than you ever imagined.

The larger Arabians you see so much in America and Europe have been bred to a height totally out of keeping with their original purpose. They're not good for much except halter classes in my opinion. Couldn't do a decent day's work or a real FIVE DAY marathon if their lives depended on it. Certainly not w/o great risk. One time My Sunshine had a 3 month layoff while I was working 2 full time jobs. The day that ordeal ended, I hopped on her and we took a goat path up, down, and over the mountains and raced across the valley for 8 hours. At the end she was barely lathered on her neck, and she never once in her life limped or even needed leg liniment. Iron legs. Never wore shoes either. She had PERFECT feet. That's what you can get with a genuinely ancient bloodline.

BTW, when she used to run in pasture and fallow crop land near the highway, it was such a spectacular sight that people would pull over in their vehicles and stop to watch. I moved up to a better ranch 3 times while she was alive, and in the new location I could generally snooker quarter horse people into a race at least half a mile long because like so many, they had no respect for her small size. We'd even give them a good head start and still win. (It didn't hurt that My Sunshine carried only about 115 lbs including me and the racing saddle while those big ol' cowboys were loaded down with baggage and their horses had little to nothing after the 1/4 mile mark. Before long word would make the rounds and I couldn't beg or buy a race with anybody. No $ involved but their egos took a beating. Big old horses couldn't beat that little bitty mare, boo hoo. With thoroubreds I always insisted on a 2-mile race because I could watch them a few minutes and know pretty well what they were good for. But I'll admit that even I'd have wanted a minimum 3 miles against Secretariat in my notion of a dream race.

One other thing, too, since you did kinda get my Irish up. 'My Sunshine' was only her pet name, of course. Her registered name was about 3 feet long, haha! Almost bigger than she was!

[maddiemom]

35. Thanks. Interesting information. BTW, no need to get so defensive and huffy.

You have no idea of the years of experience I've had with a number of horse breeds. Not so much with Arabians, admittedly; have known mostly regular Arabians and almost bought a POLISH Arabian for my daughter once. I do admit that some breeds such as Morgans and Arabs may be a bit under 14.2, but are still considered horses, not ponies. No argument, was just not aware there was a horse breed that could be under 13 hands (not counting miniature horses of course, who aren't ponies). My reply was as to generally acknowledged size standards, not quibble with your breed. I've owned mostly Morgans and one off-the-track thoroughbred (and have worked with many others). I always appreciate new information and also that you backed off your in initial snark.

[maddiemom]

36. P.S. My very best Morgan was just a shade over 14.3.

[IrishAyes]

37. (ahem) If you meant your size comment as a generalized statement, you should've noted

that you're aware of other standards. As it is, your statement was ambiguous at best..

BTW, declaring someone who disagrees with you, even adamantly, as 'defensive' is passive aggressive at best. And once again you're wrong when you say I 'backed off' my 'initial snark'. That would require some degree of regret on my part when I have none, only lingering pique with you for having continued your attitude in what you might have hoped would pass as a faux-apology.

Neither did I say that animals UNDER 13 hands were considered horses by anyone. My Sunshine was barely over OUR standards for pony size, but she made it by a hair. If you had bought your daughter a Polish (or Russian) Arabian, you might've had a winner at halter but still no more than a useless toy. When it comes to the most efficient design for strength, speed, and stamina, 13-14 hands is the sweet spot. For every inch over 14 hands, you start to lose a bit of that prime mix.

Might I recommend a good course in reading comprehension? Maybe a few lessons from Miss Manners, too. You kicked me in the shins first and then wanted to cry foul when I kicked back. That doesn't pass muster.

[maddiemom]

38. Ouch! I give up. Not your disagreement, but your tone. I'm happy to give you the last word.

I guess I'll have to give myself a course in reading comprehension, since I taught it for years (BTW, I'm a reading specialist). If you count "kicking you in the shins" as pointing out the general standard in horse/pony sizes, you ARE huffy and defensive. And your remarks about Polish or Russian Arabs: what's THAT about, speaking of snark? You missed the perfect opportunity to educate others in "OUR" breed after some rather grandious bragging which I chose to ignore as a courtesy. Forgive me for thinking that you'd toned down the snark, when you were meaning to be more nasty. You're clear now. We've all had horses we've dearly loved without thinking they could beat Secretariat at a shorter distance (or even a good quarter horse). You win, OK? Over and definitely OUT.

[maddiemom]

39. Excuse me: GRANDIOSE bragging (correction)

[maddiemom]

40. Parden me . I realize you said over a longer, not shorter distance. I appologize, no snark intended

You were talking stamina, I guess. I was just a bit flummoxed by your attitude and ability to keep coming up with insults over one comment about size standards. Now I'm done.

[IrishAyes]

41. You can accuse me of whatever you wish. I basically don't give a damn.

But since you do seem to consider yourself the higher authority on a finer plane than anyone else, go ahead and blow as hard as you wish. Trying to displace responsibility on someone else may impress a few others, but I swore off taking blame that doesn't belong on my shoulders too many years ago to count.

Have fun.

[Tommymac]

7. The awe of watching him on the home stretch at Belmont...

is a memory I will never forget. Pure exuberance, power, and grace embodied in one horse for one brief moment in time.

[freshwest]

17. +1,000

[SummerSnow]

8. When I was a kid, my mom loved Secretariat.

She even liked Seattle Slew

[Spitfire of ATJ]

9. ...

Last edited Fri May 23, 2014, 04:18 AM - Edit history (1)

(Someone had to do it.)

[swilton]

10. Run for the Roses

Dan Fogelberg

&feature=kp

[ballyhoo]

11. I remember the day like it was yesterday. I have

Last edited Fri May 23, 2014, 09:40 AM - Edit history (1)

never seen anything so incredible as that Belmont win. I played the horses for many years after that. Secretariat was the best I'd ever seen by far and will ever see. Ruffian was second. I cried when Ruffian was struggling to keep his jockey upright when she was only on three hooves. Yes, I am pretty sure who would have won between them, but, to me. it is just one of those things you just nod your head at and smile, saying nothing.

[freshwest]

12. Loved him. Other than him I had no interest in racing. He was the ultimate horse spirit, and more.

I have always regarded the horse as the perfect animal.

As one man said, he was 'more than life allows' and his life was a moment in time that can never be repeated.

Another commentator said, he had 'god' inside him. His joy of being alive and acute awareness were what many dream of having.

The magnificence of this living being on this planet makes me cry and realize what a gift we all have here.

That picture came from this page. It is the dream his life represented, full of beauty, strength, vitality and courage.

http://www.locogringostudios.com/Secretariat-Painting.html

[freshwest]

13. He has a professional page just like a person:

Secretariat



Born: 29-Mar-1970
Birthplace: Doswell, VA [1]
Died: 4-Oct-1989
Location of death: Paris, KY [2]
Cause of death: Euthanasia [3]
Remains: Buried, Claiborn Farm, Paris, KY

Gender: Male
Race or Ethnicity: Not Human
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Racehorse

Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Greatest race horse of all time

[1] Meadow Stud Farm, Doswell, VA.

[2] Claiborn Farm, Paris, KY.

[3] Euthanized due to laminitis, a hoof condition.

Autopsy (link at page)

http://www.nndb.com/people/212/000023143/

[leftyohiolib]

14. "Sexual orientation: Straight"..... really?

[George II]

18. When I heard he died, it was like a member of my family died...

...here's the last known video of him shortly before he died.

[lovemydog]

21. I'm crying - the beauty & spirit of Secretariat

lives on. What a great story and footage. Thank you for sharing.

[narnian60]

30. Me, too.

[Boomerproud]

31. It's my understanding that his daughters were more successful as racers than his sons.

It has something to do with a gene. Thank you for this very moving footage. He will be remembered forever.

[DeSwiss]

33. Sexual orientation: Straight

[mountain grammy]

15. Thank you for posting, Faygo.

[George II]

16. Thanks for the memory...I was there that day, and we were stunned by the way he won...

...maybe the greatest horse race in history.

This is a true story. On the way to Belmont Park that morning, I told my friend that I had a dream about the race. I told him that in the dream Secretariat won, and the final time was 2:24. He laughed at me, that was 2-3/5 seconds faster than any other Belmont Stakes.

The final time? 2:24.

We'll never see another race like that, ever!

Postscript - I was a Aqueduct for his second race, and didn't think he was all that good. He won easily by six lengths, his first career win. I had a lot to learn!

[IrishAyes]

20. Thanks, Faygo.

Funny little story here that touches at least somewhat on our favorite horse:

A neighbor of mine around that time bought a full brother of Secretariat for only $6K a couple years after the Belmont - HE looked like a twin but hated to run at all. She bought him for a kid's horse. Plod, plod, plod no matter what else was going on around him. He wouldn't even trot back to the stable. Bloodlines are important, but they're no guarantee. Secretariat was all fire and speed. His brother a few years later had absolutely nothing in the tank.

I really hope CA Chrome makes it. He's a great horse.

[lovemydog]

23. Funny story!

I love California Chrome as well. Looking forward to The Belmont Saturday June 7.

[lovemydog]

22. Secretariat - possibly the greatest athlete of the 20th century

No other athlete stood so far above everyone else in his sport.

Thank you Faygo Kid!

[malthaussen]

27. Babe Ruth comes pretty close.:)

But Big Red was brilliant.

-- Mal

[Granny M]

24. What a beautiful animal. nt

[Surya Gayatri]

25. Thanks for reminding us of what perfection looks like, Faygo.

Every time I see him "moving like a tremendous machine" (a machine of flesh and blood, with heart and will) I get a lump in my throat.

[BeyondGeography]

26. 31 lengths ahead at the finish line

Stunning, beautiful horse. He made many, many people who never pay attention to horse racing happy and amazed.

[malthaussen]

28. I agree about Secretariat, but to my mind this is the best Belmont ever:

Was there ever a rivalry like Affirmed-Alydar?

-- Mal

[DeSwiss]

34. Agreed.

- With a close second in the form of the other 70s Triple Crown Winner, Seattle Slew:

However, this is the absolute best horse race that I've ever seen:

K&R