Tag: Secretariat
-
The Secretariat Birthday Party Goes On!
Some of you may have heard the sad news that The Meadow, which was owned by the State Fair of Virginia, has been closed to the public. The Fair (a private, not for profit organization) was forced into Chapter 7 bankruptcy on March 8 when the bank did not accept its plan to reorganize. This was heart-breaking…
-
Risen Star, Son of Secretariat
In light of the upcoming Risen Star Stakes on Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Fairgrounds racetrack in New Orleans, we wanted to share a little something about its namesake. Risen Star (1985–1998) was one of Big Red’s best and biggest colts. He was a strapping 17-hand dark bay out of the mare Ribbon, who boasted the great Hail to Reason…
-
The Big Red Flame Keeps Burning Up the Track
(We’re a bit behind schedule because of the holidays but wanted to get in one more post before the New Year, so thanks for your patience.) In our last post we promised to write about all the Secretariat descendants who ran in the 2011 Breeder’s Cup races. That may have been a little ambitious, as one…
-
Secretariat’s Descendants – From the Homestretch to the Home Front: Little Red’s “Golden” Opportunity in the Rockies
This new series will look at some of Secretariat’s most famous progeny and how the mighty stallion of Meadow Stable continues to fire the blood of some of the best racehorses on the track today. We will also look at the descendants whose most important contributions have been made, not on the homestretch, but on the…
-
October 4, 1989…Remembering Big Red
It’s hard to believe that 22 years have passed since Secretariat died on October 4, 1989. It’s hard to believe because, in many respects, his presence seems stronger than ever. Kate Chenery Tweedy and I see the unquenchable passion for this horse firsthand as we travel around the country doing book talks and signings for “Secretariat’s…
-
Secretariat’s Descendants…from the Homestretch to the Homefront
This new series will look at some of Secretariat’s most famous progeny and how the mighty stallion of Meadow Stable continues to fire the blood of some of the best racehorses on the track today. We will also look at the descendants whose most important contributions have been made, not on the homestretch, but on…
-
The Holy Grail on the Secretariat’s Meadow Tour…the Foaling Shed
Visitors are often moved to tears when they see it. They touch the wooden door reverently. They walk inside the stall, looking around in quiet awe. They snap photo after photo, not wanting to leave what many consider hallowed ground. It’s a modest little structure of whitewashed barnboard. Its appearance could be called “unprepossessing,” to…
-
Next Stop on the “Secretariat’s Meadow Tour”…the Yearling Barn
On our virtual tram tour of The Meadow, you’ve seen The Cove where the broodmares and foals grazed, and the Stallion Barns. Now we’ll take a look at the Yearling Barn, where both Secretariat and Riva Ridge stayed as colts. The Yearling Barn originally built by Chris Chenery still stands, and like the Stallion Barns,…
-
Covert Action, Secretariat’s Grandson, Finds “Greener Pastures”
Secretariat’s descendants are helping to keep his legacy alive! As we get closer to Big Red’s birthday on March 30, we’re writing about some of his progeny here in Virginia. Our last post was about Rainaway, his great grandson who lives at The Meadow in Doswell. This is Covert Action, a Secretariat grandson, who quite generously,…
-
Rainaway, The Mascot of The Meadow
March may come in like a lion but it’s going to go out like a Thoroughbred! In honor of Big Red’s birthday (March 30) and the celebration at The Meadow (March 27) we will be posting stories about his birthplace and his descendants all month. We’ll start with a descendant who actually lives at The Meadow…a…