I still tear up watching this horse run.
When he won the Belmont, I was 12 years old... Working temporarily at the Greater Houston Gun Club... During the state trap shoot competition. I was a trap loader. During a break, I walked though the clubhouse, where the Belmont was on TV. The men gathered round were cheering and yelling.... At first. But, as Big Red pulled away, they got quieter and quieter. By the end, everyone was silent.... In disbelief. I’ll never forget the old, old man who looked at me, with tears of his own, and said “Son, you’ll NEVER forget the history you just saw.”
He was right.
I took photos of Secretariat that year after the triple crown races at Saratoga. People were literally betting the house on him, he lost to Onion. Saratoga, the graveyard of champions.
Great story, thanks for sharing. That win at Belmont along with the 1980 Olympic hockey team win are the greatest sports events that I have ever seen. Secretariat was magnificent. He was truly a gift from God.
I can’t watch Secretariat win the Belmont without shedding tears.
It’s a combination of loving horses and witnessing greatness that makes it so emotional for me.
Yes, Secretariat was a male and he was known as “Big Red” off the track.
After his autopsy, it was discovered that his heart was about twice the size of an average horse’s heart.
And he certainly ran his big ol’ heart out that day.