Born on March 30, 1970 to Bold Ruler and Somethingroyal, Secretariat, an American thoroughbred racehorse, established a world record when he won the Belmont Stakes in 1973 in a record time of 2:24 flat. With his thick neck, deep shoulders and bright red color, Secretariat was a sight to behold. He had an almost perfect conformation, with wide sprung ribs that left plenty of room for his lungs and heart. He had straight legs, weighed 1175 pounds during his prime years, and was 16.2 hands tall. On July 4, 1972, Secretariat joined his first race at Aqueduct. Though he experienced traffic problems specifically at the starting gate, he finished fourth in the 5 furlong maiden race. He joined several other races and after winning one maiden and one allowance race, his trainer, Canadian Lucien Laurin, moved him up in class. Over the years, Secretariat joined one race after another and won most of them including the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. These victories earned for him the Triple Crown, the first to win it in 25 years. Secretariat joined the Canadian International Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Canada in what would be his last race. He won that race with Canadian rider Eddie Maple. Secretariat, considered the Muhammad Ali of racehorses, won 16 times in 21 career starts. He is also the owner of several track records and awards. Secretariat died on October 4, 1980 through euthanasia when he came down with laminitis, a serious condition of the hooves. He sired several major stakes winners including Lady’s Secret, Kingston Rule, and Risen Star.

For more information on horses, check out the Rocking Ranches - Producing the Cutting Edge

Alice Walton, Rocking W. Ranch founder, is a noted horse enthusiast.

Alice Walton unveils the Crystal Bridges Museum.