Eddie Sweat & Secretariat: The Unbreakable Bond Behind the Legendary Racehorse (Part One)

Discover the heartwarming story of Eddie Sweat, the devoted groom to the legendary racehorse, Secretariat. This captivating montage features rare photos of Eddie and Secretariat together, showcasing the deep bond that helped create a racing legend. Experience their extraordinary journey as you listen to excerpts from Raymond Woolfe's acclaimed book 'Secretariat,' narrated by the talented Tim H. Dixon. Join us in celebrating the unsung hero who played an essential role in the making of an equine icon.
Find the complete audiobook on:
Amazon US: amzn.to/3ml0t47
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3KIATiI
Audible US: www.audible.com/pd/Secretaria...
Audible UK: www.audible.co.uk/pd/Secretar...
Eddie Sweat (1939-1998)
Eddie Sweat was born in Holly Hill, South Carolina, the ninth of nine children to a sharecropper. Lucien Laurin, a future U.S. Racing Hall of Fame trainer, kept a Thoroughbred horse farm in Holly Hill. Sweat was offered a job by Laurin after he noticed the wide-eyed teen frequently peering through a fence to the property. Sweat accepted a full-time job as a groom for the Laurin stable of racehorses in 1957, when he was eighteen, for a small fixed salary plus 1% of the horse's earnings.
The 1958 American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly Quill was one of Sweat's first successful horses. Sweat was a member of the Laurin stable's first American Classic victory in 1966, when Amberoid won the Belmont Stakes. Sweat gained national media attention for his abilities with Thoroughbreds six years later, when sportswriter William Nack spent many hours with him outside the Laurin stable stalls of Kentucky Derby winners Riva Ridge and Secretariat in 1972 and 1973. In a feature article for Sports Illustrated, Nack stated that he took notes compulsively and endlessly, feeling for the texture of the life around the horse. [1] Secretariat was voted the 1972 American Horse of the Year, an extraordinary feat for a two-year-old, and all of the key people involved with Secretariat received massive national and international attention leading up to and during the horse's 1973 Triple Crown victory. Sweat was interviewed and photographed numerous times, and he was featured on television and on the covers of Ebony and Jet magazines. Eddie was also the first groom to train Kentucky Derby winners Riva Ridge in 1972 and Secretariat in 1973.
Sweat worked for Lucien Laurin's son, Roger Laurin, after he retired, and received significant national media attention with Chief's Crown in 1984. The colt won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, was named American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt by the Eclipse Award, and was the betting favorite in all three of the 1985 Triple Crown races.

[@Struwwel2]

Lucien Lauren's most trusted groom. As much as Secretariat's success was owing to his innate talent, it was also because he had the devoted care and attention of Eddie Sweat.

[@irenedavis6633]

Thank you, Eddie Sweat, for what you did for Secretariat.

[@Psyfi85]

Perhaps the unsung hero of it all. Much like Harbut with Man O War. RIP Eddie

[@janetgallo5720]

Thank you for giving such care to Secretariat. I know you loved him and that he felt that love and he worked for people that loved him, and who he loved. Both Riva Ridge and Secretariat were very lucky to have you as their groom and friend. I always wished that you had stayed with them both.

[@johnvan6803]

Thanks Eddie for helping make Big Red the greatest race horse in history! They should have had your bronz bust outside of the Belmont race track along with your best friend!

[@anitapraass5136]

Thank you for your service Eddie. You were very special.

[@mikeyates7931]

As a native born country boy brought up in horse racing , the finest compliment I can ever give anyone is to say they were a good horseman - Mr. Eddie Sweat , you were a good horseman

[@barbaralovenvirth8726]

Both you and Secretariat got very lucky....you are both winners

[@myroselle6987]

What a lovely man Mr. Sweat must have been. The book “The Horse God Built” is a beautiful tribute to horses and their people and in particular it’s a tribute to the bond between Mr. Sweat and Secretariat. A wonderful book.

[@Dee-eq1pg]

Thank you Eddie.

[@dotmurphy7279]

I've always wondered what it would be like to visit Mr Sweat and watch him take care of horses and listen to his wisdom.

[@01maggie]

Eddie eas vital fir Secretariat to be the winner he was. No question this man had the velvet touch with horses. ❤

[@risingphoenix8072]

The groom is like the horse’s parent and the trainer is the school teacher. Any superb jockey can successfully ride a well-trained, healthy, motivated horse - but still, let’s not forget Turcotte, who had the courage to let Big Red stretch out and run for that Triple Crown in his own way, without interference. Horse watched the movements of the competition from behind, and then made his move. The acceleration and stamina in the Belmont Stakes gives me chills every time!

[@michaelmiller5877]

I heard an interview with Turcotte. In the Belmont he basically did nothing but ride. I believe his quote was "Big Red was out to destroy the field that day".

[@risingphoenix8072]

@@michaelmiller5877 oh I love your comment!! Gave me chills. I watch all of the Triple for that year, but watch Belmont every time I want a lift. After all of this time, I still remember it like it happened recently

[@andygertz8740]

I still get chills, watching that race!!. 😂😮❤😊 2023

[@michaelmiller5877]

@@risingphoenix8072 same here. I was years old at the time and still remember like it was yesterday.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

Eddie Sweat was to Secretariat like Tom Smith was to Seabiscuit. 24/7/365 loving care and totally best friends. Both men knew what their equine buddies were all about 100%. Both horses tended to be moody and not friendly with everybody other than their special caregivers.

[@racefan1951]

I got to know "shorty" when I was assistant trainer to Richard Destasio and he worked for us in the late 80's. A true gentleman and a terrific horseman.

[@irenedavis6633]

It broke my heart to read that Eddie Sweat died a pauper after having worked so hard.

[@ccasey1904]

I know a lot about Eddie Sweat.

[@irenedavis6633]

I regret that he worked so hard and died destitute. I don’t know the reasons but it was hurtful to read.

[@kaseykat1]

I would give anything to have known anyone who knew Secretariat. What it was like to be so close to perfection.

[@robertosoaresdasilva4083]

Muito linda homenagem

[@stevek8829]

If you look at Secretariat's two year old win pictures, you'll see a different groom. Then, he would have been with the three year old, Riva. You can't be two places at once.