Greatest Racehorses Of All Time - Top 10

[@wesmann65]

Grew up a couple miles away from secretariat. Spent several hours with my moms photographing him. He always liked to socialize with us. He was incredible!

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Great comment. Thanks!!

[@tspeederp1007]

Who are you😊

[@shopahauliquewithjacquelin7025]

Where are the pictures available?

[@lorettascurato2692]

I watched all of Secretariat’s races on tv as a teenager. Watched the Belmont with a group of people and when Secretariat started really pulling away, the entire room got quiet. We couldn’t believe it was possible! All these years I’ve remembered “he is moving like a tremendous machine “ and the video makes me choke up. I’m so thrilled you mentioned Ruffian. Many experts thought she would be just as great a racehorse. Her loss was a tragedy.

[@tonynaccarato4751]

Then he lost his next race to ONION, dont start crying, then he lost to PROVE OUT, dont start crying, goose rump sec had his moments, so what.

[@tonynaccarato4751]

@@iamshebeeloloindigenous no wonder people, can't figure it out, no brain power no insight no clue, just follow like sheep, be a sheep, see you in the field with the rest of the herd.

[@fredericktoscano328]

He lost to the great trainer Allen jerkins 3 times 0it of those. 5 loses his first race then being disqualified in the champagne at 2 and they put stop the music Green tree stables.

[@michaelrichardson6051]

​@tonynaccarato4751 and he then😅 beat the hell out of Onion in the Marlboro Cup along with 6 other World Class race horses.

[@tonynaccarato4751]

@@michaelrichardson6051 marlboro cup was a GREAT race for Secretariat, top of his game.

[@loryhorn7113]

Several years ago, I had a lengthy discussion with Jockey Ron Turcotte who rode the mighty Secretariat. What most people do not know is that Turcotte made only one slight move with the horse during this race, and that was to urge him to the outside at the beginning of the 1st Pimlico turn. This move was ever so slight. Secretariat did what was impossible at the Preakness. Last to 1st on the first turn AND finishing the race easily being hand ridden! Our Native jockey commented that he knew Secretariat was coming because he sounded like a freight train approaching.

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Awesome comment! Thanks Lory

[@daves913]

I told my neighbor, the other day I have better odds of winning the lottery, then watching a horse beat secretariats records.

[@9Ballr]

Secretariat's 1973 Belmont Stakes performance is the standard by which all other racehorses will forever be measured.

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Thanks for the comment! I agree 100%. Not to mention he did that after record times at the Derby and the Preakness and was not touched by the whip at all in that amazing Belmont run. WOW.

[@vikkihall-webster7598]

I was 15 when I watched Secretariat win the Belmont. At that time, I rode and showed horses. I practically lived at the stable with my friends -- such happy times. Me and my friends gathered at the big house to watch the race in June 1973. We knew Secretariat was special, but no one expected what we witnessed. Secretariat was often slow out of the gate as a young horse (as was Man o" War), but you could see him becoming bolder, stronger and more confident with each of the Triple Crown races. Secretariat broke well and took the lead early -- next he ran the equivalent of a match race with Sham, and then, summoning even greater strength, he began to pull away. That's three herculean efforts in one race! As he rounded the turn, he steadily opened the distance and everyone in the room was silent, our mouths hanging open. I got chills and knew I was watching history. 50 years later, I watch the race over and over. And as that big red horse comes around the turn, moving like a tremendous machine, tears well up. I know I was blessed to have lived to witness greatness like his.

[@TheProfessorOfLife]

Great memories! I turned 17-year-old the day before the Belmont. Sham fractured a cannon bone during the Belmont and Pincay, Jr. knew something was wrong and slowed him down to avoid further injury. Pincay probably saved Sham's life that day.

[@marynewell2198]

I watched the Triple Crown races of 1973, when they were happening and Secretariat was amazing. If he had wings he would have been flying. He was so FAST! I loved watching him. He is the greatest of all time!

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Mary I agree with everything you said! Thanks for the comment!

[@robertsmale3714]

Agree. His move on that first turn in the Preakness was breathtaking. 50 Years on he still holds all 3 Triple Crown times. That’s amazing. At his peak, no one beats Secretariat. He could run on both turf and dirt, which makes he a more versatile runner than the other top 3 on this list. He was an amazing horse, beautiful chestnut. A true gift from God.

[@williams7369]

Secretariat all the way. With the Derby he proved he ran faster as he went along. Every quarter faster than the previous. The Preakness he showed he could overtake the field whenever he wanted, with ease. The Belmont, he proved he could start at the front and just run and see if any other horse could maintain what he was doing. I doubt I will ever see another like him in my lifetime and I'm good with that.

[@joeclayton2121]

nobody will

[@johnwalsh3215]

Man O War was called the nations horse Seabiscuit was called the peoples horse Secretariat was called GODS horse

[@tonynaccarato4751]

Only in your heaven, not the rest of the world.

[@johnwalsh3215]

@@tonynaccarato4751 with your insightful input have you ever considered a career in politics, your a natural

[@tonynaccarato4751]

@@johnwalsh3215 that tells me that when it comes to discourse, many give in, and dont produce any facts, to support their opinions, on any matter, horseracing or jumping rope.

[@howie9751]

@@tonynaccarato4751 Secretariat owns the records for all three Triple Crown races since 1973. Fact, OK?

[@tonynaccarato4751]

@@howie9751 yeah howie but sec never raced against a horse like northern dancer, remember sebiscuit racing against another triple crown winner, or how obout nashua going toe to toe with swaps, thats a fact, swaps had 4 world records at the time, thats a fact, do you want more, we can go back to 1870 if you want to talk about fact, howie, and by the way, NORTHERN DANCER with his racing "facts" and breeding, 60% of horses racing around the world today 2022 trace their lineage to dancer, not goose rumped sec.

[@mlbabineaux]

Secretariat's win at the Belmont still gives me goosebumps

[@joeclayton2121]

i'm 62 and i watch all 3 of those races all the time

[@TimYatcak]

unlike any other and the fractions were and still rae AMAZING

[@joeclayton2121]

@@TimYatcak 31 lengths..... and no horse after 1973 would have gotten any closer to Secretariat than 7 lengths

[@tonynaccarato4751]

So do mosquitos!

[@tonynaccarato4751]

Really, wake up, and look at all the horses, like man o war, citation, northern dancer, the BID, fager, mill reef, sea the stars, nijinsky, phar lap, sceptre, domino, colin, pretty polly, kinscem.

[@sherifffdb905]

I was fortunate to see Secretariat's last race at Woodbine, what a spectacular animal he was.

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Very cool. What a great race that was as well. The steam coming out of his nostrils like a locomotive as he turned for home. What a racehorse and what an animal! Thanks for the comment!! Please subscribe to the channel I have more horseracing videos dropping soon!

[@TheProfessorOfLife]

1 5/8 miles on turf, and he EMBARRASSED the best turf horses in North America at that time.

[@davejones1959]

Let's not forget the incredible call by Chic Anderson. The calling of the Belmont is one of the greatest calls in the history of sports.

[@prevarctorII]

Secretariat is moving like a tremendous machine! What an awesome call!

[@gailwebb9619]

Agree. I watch it frequently and as excited as I was watching it I was even more excited listening to Chic Anderson calling the race.....

[@davejones1959]

@@gailwebb9619 Chic died of a heart attack a few years later. :-(

[@gailwebb9619]

@@davejones1959 I was very sorry to hear that. He made an already exciting race even better!

[@pauldyer4872]

Strangely, I think it's an appalling commentary! Race readers nowadays are so much better.

[@saravanderhoek4024]

Wonderful! You know what you're talking about and it was so interesting to watch! Thank you! Much appreciated!😊❤

[@tyronebrown9936]

Secretariat is the greatest athlete I’ve ever seen. If there is a God, he proved it by creating that horse. I saw him then and 49 years later he still makes me cry. I’ve never seen perfection before or since. My word, he was stupefying.

[@johnwalsh3215]

Thank you GOD for loaning us your horse, we called him Secretariat! Secretariat ran Belmont as if GOD had whispered into Secretariats ear… ok boy so you like to run, show me, make me proud!

[@johnthomas6506]

I agree 100%. You are not alone about the crying. He still does it to me every time. I saw him run in1973. What most folks don't get is that the Belmont is the only time the owners and jockey turned him loose and let him run as he wanted to. All the others he was held back so he wouldn't tire and lose at the end. They didn't know what he could do. The Belmont the jockey just let him run and he said afterward "I didn't do a thing. I just sat there and went along for the ride. When asked after the race if he was tiring at the end he said NO! He was still running easy and could have gone a lot faster. His 2nd half of the Belmont he had nothing to run against and the jockey said after Sham fell back he just galloped along the rest of the way but he could have gone 2 to 4 seconds faster if asked to. just thinking bout him can bring tears to my eyes. I always say he was so great! and that he did the running because he wanted to. not for an award or fame. just becuse he wanted to.

[@tyronebrown9936]

@@johnthomas6506 We saw the guiding hand of the universe when we watched that horse. The best things I’ve seen are him, the Beatles, the moon walk and the Berlin Wall crumble. Cripes, he was something brother, I totally agree.

[@welshwitch2126]

He won the Triple Crown the year I graduated high school in KY. I still get choked up when I watch the three races. God that horse was amazing.

[@robertbarnum7541]

@@johnthomas6506 Greatest athletic performance of all time. I cry every single time I see the 1973 Belmont. Every single time.

[@johnstjohn4705]

Your video was not too long. I enjoyed every minute of it. Your analysis was thoughtful and thorough. I'm glad you mentioned Ruffian, my second favorite horse I was 28 when I watched Secretaariate's jaw-dropping performance. Neil Armstrong setting foot on the moon and Secretariate at the Belmont are the two best things I've ever watched on TV. Secretariate brought the country together and made everyone happy. The world needs more Secretariates.

[@valmoore8790]

I was only 11 but I saw him run in 73. Penny Tweedy sent me an autographed photo of him to me before the Derby. Signed by her, Lucien Lauren and Ron Turcotte. I wrote her in crayon and she was so very kind to write back to a kid who loved her horse. I will never forget her kindness. Lifetime memorable events watching him make history. Greatest racehorse of all time.

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Awesome story Val. Thank you so much for the comment!!

[@nancyjanzen5676]

I was 7 months old when Citation won. And I was not quite 26 when Secretariat won.

[@sheilatruax6172]

I had an incident like thst! Only the horse was Genuine Risk. Sometimes people are sooo cool!

[@petecarter2618]

I'm from the UK and I've watched all of Secretariats races and I for one am extremely impressed with what he achieved. Like Brent says he did the impossible in the Belmont and broke track records too. Brent also said the 70s was the best era for great racehorses not only in the USA but in the UK too with Nijinsky, Mill Reef and Brigadier Gerard.

[@connorduke4619]

Interesting fact: Mill Reef, like Sham, was a cousin of Secretariat. All three had the same had the same grandsire Princequillo. All three feature in the 5 largest thoroughbred hearts ever measures, I recall: 1. Secretariat 2. Sham 4. Mill Reef. Third place was another cousin, Key To The Mint, whom Secretariat also raced and beat. Secretariat had the combination of Mill Reef's stamina and Brigadier Gerard's explosiveness, and then some.

[@TheProfessorOfLife]

Excellent points! Key To The Mint was a 4-year-old during Secretariat's Triple Crown year, and he won the 1972 3-Year-Old Horse Of The Year award over Riva Ridge.@@connorduke4619

[@michaelquinn8618]

I agree with you I saw him run in 1973,and he was a monster and greatest horse to ever run on a racetrack

[@deborahjeanne2141]

Secretariat. The most amazing horse ever. I watched the Triple Crown in 73, not knowing who Secretariat was before then. When he broke last in the Preakness, I thought, shyt, no Triple Crown winner this year. To see him take off, not only coming from behind, but dead last, was truly poetry in motion, as he easily passed all the horses taking the lead. But his opus was the Belmont. As he put more and more distance between himself and Sham, I stood up in my living room, clapping, with tears streaming down my face. I could not believe what I was seeing - and we will never see it again. Fifty years later, his records have still not been broken and I don’t think they ever will be. When he died, I cried for days. There will never be another Secretariat. He was just the most perfect horse ever born. Shoemaker may have ridden a lot of winners and thinks Spectacular Bid was the best horse he ever rode, but he never rode Secretariat.

[@fleminj2pa]

I was 22 in 1973 and like so many others, I was caught up in the Secretariat hoopla gathering steam during the Triple Crown run leading up to the Belmont Stakes. I don’t think I will ever witness a more breathtaking performance by any athlete of any species than I watched that day. To this day, I cannot watch the motion picture “Secretariat” or even KZbin videos of this event without tearing up. Secretariat was truly God’s horse. I can’t imagine what it must have felt like to be Ron Turcotte on that ride. That was the “Immaculate Reception” of horse racing. A moment in time that will never come again.

[@johnlackey1244]

Turcotte never once had to resort to the whip as Sham’s jockey did to try to save face. Big Red knew he was the best and loved to prove it. And did he ever prove it.

[@mengiaboy]

I was only 7 so didn't know about it at the time. I was thinking recently about how it was when American Pharoh ended the 37 year drought with a close race to the end. and how wild it must have been to see the 25 year drought ended it such a completely different fashion. Complete dominance.

[@johnlackey1244]

@@mengiaboy there have been many great fantastic three year olds but in head to head simulation Big Red beat all by at least two seconds, including Man o War. 110 degree stride angle is unmatched. Absolutely the GOAT in all of sport history. Chamberlain and Brady can take a seat.

[@kateburns8126]

@JohnFleming Imagining how Turcotte felt during that magical ride I've thought about too. I'd bet anyone especially someone that's rode a horse at a gallop or just rode can only imagine it.

[@Svensk7119]

@@mengiaboy I thought there never really was much doubt American Pharaoh would win once the race started.... at least, I remember the newspaper saying that.

[@fungoorstitch]

American Pharoah almost came within two seconds of Secretariat. But NO HORSE has, or will ever again, make a crowd actually weep at what they witnessed. It was a real life miracle.

[@mstrunn]

@fungoorstitch 2 seconds is 13 lengths, and it was a 2.6 second difference, difference in time x 5.5 equals 13, that's how it is calculated.

[@makingthecoin3647]

Fungoorstitch also some of the earlier races had insane times that made Pharoahs time a bit inflated

[@makingthecoin3647]

Fungoorstitch this horse doesn't come close to even other triple crown winners but what sends him packing is the load of great talent from the past whose careers was just too overwhelming to have AP close. The horses he ran against were subpar. Frosted best at a mile even when he won the Whitney still only 1/8th longer it was a weak field. The competition was mediocre even the Breeders Cup. Man did AP fall into a soft patch of opponents. No one in there right "dry" mind would have him above so many greats unless it's the only triple crown they witnessed and so they have a love and bias for him.

[@mariabykofsky4502]

American Pharoah is the great, great, great grand son of Secretariat...

[@walkawaycat431]

Spectacular Bid still holds the world record for the fastest 1 1/4 mile in history. Secretariat is the greatest horse ever, Spectacular Bid is the greatest horse to never win the Triple Crown. I'd put Slew in 2nd all time behind Secretariat.

[@merryleelanehart8690]

Spectacular Bid was Secretariat's best buddy at Claiborne. They raced each other up and down the fence line of their adjoining paddocks.

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Thanks for the comment. I have seen that video a d its so cool to watch two of the best to ever do it just hanging out having fun.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

Merrylee Lanehart, Secretariat loved competing anywhere and he greatly hated losing. Eddie Sweat, his caretaker/groomer stayed, many times, that Secretariat was the most intelligent he ever met/seen in his life. Eddie was with Secretariat more than any human ever was. Eddie also stated that Secretariat was often a goofball in the barn and the paddock/pasture.

[@Makado14]

Very fitting...

[@miri9885]

"AFFIRMED" beating the much more hyped up "alydar" 3X to win the 1978 Triple Crown is my personal all-time favorite. He never truly received the respect he deserved.

[@rosslynemrys5829]

And ridden by the young Steve Cauthen!

[@timstafford5079]

Spectacular Bid, Dr. Fager,, Man O' War, Secretariat, Swaps. In that order. Ruffian was the greatest filly. I've been a racing affectionate for 60 years.

[@hiyield007]

I’ve been watching horse racing since the 1950s and by far, the greatest horse out there was Dr Fager. To beat him other trainers had to enter rabbits to wear him out before the finish.

[@brentmagnussen3173]

You make a great argument Gary. He was a beautiful freak of nature. I should have put him higher on the list. After looking at this list for almost 2 years now.....If I could do the list over, the only change would be the BID at # 6, Dr Fager at #7, and Seattle Slew at # 8. Thanks for the comment and your seven decades of passion for the sport!!

[@marklewen9384]

Lukas put a rabbit vs HOLY BULL in the Travers and still couldn't beat him, and the 46.1 opening half is the fastest 1st half in 50 years of travers stakes.

[@JohnWilliams-sq7cj]

True doenst get the credit he deserved

[@TheProfessorOfLife]

Fager was probably the greatest MILER ever. So how did the good doctor do in the Triple Crown races?

[@adammiller6606]

Spectacular Bid. The best of all. If you take a close look at the final times per distance along with his overall record and the amount of races run.

[@juneannbrusie2042]

50 years later and all three of the triple crown time records are still held by Secretariat. That makes him the best racehorse that has ever been and may ever be

[@texascoinhunter]

What people seem to forget is the second fastest Derby ever run was by Sham. Just happened to run it the wring day.

[@hcf1956]

I will forever remember the Secretariat. The first horse's name I ever known before following horse racing. I watched at the time, without understanding/comprehending the feat and the greatness of the Secretariat during the Triple Crown. I was at awe of the 31 length of the win. The sight was "incompresible" for me at the time. I've since come to understand what a "feat" it really was. Whenever, I speak of the GOAT of horse racing, I do not hesitate proclaiming Secretariat the GOAT.

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Thanks for the comment!!

[@janicefuzy2721]

Great list. I thought I was the only one to cry watching Secretariat. I was 14 . Watched horse racing all the time. Then came Secretariat. Still cry watching him run on KZbin.

[@brentmagnussen3173]

That's awesome. Thanks for the comment Janice!

[@brokenangel2224]

What are Secretariats BEST races, that I can watch on KZbin, please???

[@brentmagnussen3173]

@@brokenangel2224 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y16pk4SnipKpd8U

[@lindawild2575]

My all time favorites are Sea Biscuit, Seattle Slew, Zenyatta, and last but not least by far is the best ever in my heart is Secretariat, he was the horse with more heart, speed and power than any other horse I ever saw!

[@richardmorris7063]

You hit the nail on the head talking about the second leg of the triple crown.Secratariat is going for the lead & he wants it now!He just hit another gear that no other horse had.

[@j.kevvideoproductions.6463]

Watched another video where someone explained how his stride changed when he started the run for the lead in the Preakness. When he changed stride, that was him shifting gears. He had a gear none of the other horses had.

[@richardmorris7063]

@@j.kevvideoproductions.6463 I heard that too,I think they said he led w/ the left leg & change up mid race.

[@MeditateWithMe7]

Secretariat The most incredible horse 🐎 on Planet,every race running faster and strong ❤️❤️❤️Biggest heart it improved everything to all peoples lives…Blessing Your Miracle Heart Secretariat ❤️❤️❤️Thank so much blessing you

[@carldevries9108]

Loved this list Brent. I was 11 years old in 1973, not a horse racing fan at all. But I knew about Secretariat and witnessed perfection on our families' old black and white tv. Watching youtube videos of that Belmont still brings me to tears. I consider it the greatest athletic performance of all time. Now I am off to check out some of these other great horses you mentioned. Also, I became aware of Zenyata about 2/3 of the way thru her winning streak. She was fun to watch, always spotting the field a head start before reeling them in.

[@parkerbohnn]

One race doesn't mean much. I saw the race and I also saw all of Mission Brief's races and believe you mean Mission Brief had more raw speed than Secretariat.

[@Makado14]

I loved Zenyattas " dancing". The only horse I have ever seen to do that on the track, she was obviously very, very intelligent.

[@johnlackey1244]

To change lead foot as he did midstride at the Preakness still amazes me. Just incredible

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Yes John! Few people talk about that. What a move! For any other horse it's suicide....

[@ElleCoyote]

Where can I see that in video?

[@vivianwinford3681]

Your right. I remember, and always will, watching that race on TV. On that race I could not stay in my seat. I was up and jumping around the Living room with amazing tears in my eyes watching him pull away from the rest of the horses like they were standing still. I doubt I'll ever see another horse or race like that again.

[@heavenhelpus479]

That move in the Preakness in turn 1, when he went 3 wide, and dug in, you could see him advance so quickly with every stride. It just blows me away!

[@tonyrobichaud6718]

That was an amazing sight to see as Secretariat moved so fast from the back that it looked like I was watching a car race. What tremendous speed and stamina this horse had.

[@michaelsmith-iu1be]

@@tonyrobichaud6718 And it was all big reds idea. Turcotte was along for the ride.

[@marjoriecoey3418]

Every stride longer and further.

[@chanj1950]

All numbers aside Zenyatta was more than just a racehorse. Her wins from behind brought gut wrenching drama. Her personality drew thousands to her. She is a once in a lifetime beauty, huge girl over 17 hands, she fed off the love of so many, a high spirited filly. Her 2009 win over an all male field showed what she could do. She belongs on this list. She is spectacular in confirmation and temperament

[@marcosolo5164]

She belongs further up the list. . although, at 58 yrs old, I'm likely too young and too green to even qualify as to comment. But the fashion in the way she raced and always seemed to know where the finish line was, in the History of horse racing there's not too many that could a beat her. She just out ran whoever was on the track.

[@walkawaycat431]

She is a huge girl. I loved her dead last come from behind wins. She's actually larger than any horse on this list.

[@walkawaycat431]

@@marcosolo5164 Watch her races. She was awesome. Only one loss.

[@marklewen9384]

​@@marcosolo5164Zenyatta isn't on the top 300 american horses ..

[@TheProfessorOfLife]

Zenyatta is THE filly/mare G.O.A.T. Period. End of story. Sorry, Ruffian groupies!

[@walkawaycat431]

Secretariat is the greatest! I'm so glad you included the great "Seattle Slew". Love him too. And Spectacular Bid.

[@TheProfessorOfLife]

Secretariat is, without a shadow of a doubt, the GREATEST racehorse to ever live. Big Red came at a time when the American public was down and out, with the Vietnam War coming to an end and President Nixon on his way to resigning. Secretariat gave people something to cheer about and something to be proud of. As with other men who have commented on Big Red, I STILL get choked up and misty-eyed EVERY time I watch Secretariat in the three Triple Crown races. God Bless Big Red!!!

[@parkerbohnn]

One race means nothing. Dan Patch and "the freak of nature" Mission Brief use to win by the length of the toteboard against the best in the world not one race but every race.

[@Sabra112]

Ruffian

[@maninacrowd2342]

That’s a big call considering he never raced against another horse that had a heart two times bigger than other horses, Phar Lap! That would have been something to see the two of them at there best in a match race! 🍻

[@joecolabelli4339]

@@maninacrowd2342 Track records dont lie its that simple

[@joecolabelli4339]

@@Sabra112 Put Ruffians times against Secretariat =NOT EVEN CLOSE In 2020 the had the virtual Derby GUESS WHO WON ?(HINT NOT RUFFIAN LOL)

[@brianseccomb6731]

Secretariat never had to be wipped once he just ran for the love of running greatest of all time and it's not close broke all three track records in a five a weak span that still stand today!

[@marjoriecoey3418]

Don't like it when they flog horse's in races. We never had to hit ours.

[@noelharris1177]

He did not set the Preakness record!The clock malfunctioned n they only changed the time bcuz Penny Chenery wouldn't leave it alone!

[@brianseccomb6731]

Wrong it was CBS who brought the proof before the racing commotion not Penny!

[@johnulmer6715]

Absolutely Secretariat, I was 9 when I watched him win the Belmont Stakes. Even then I knew I was watching greatness. Best athlete ever, regardless of species.

[@Diva7Va]

It wasn't just an eternal track or Belmont Stakes record -- IT WAS THE WORLD RECORD FOR 1.5 MI ON DIRT. And there is absolutely no sign of its being broken. The GOAT.

[@melissayost4888]

I was old enough to watch Secretariat. Mind blowing. The Belmont was the most amazing race ever. What a beast. I couldn’t believe what I’d seen. I watch it over & over again because it’s so brilliant. Breath taking. I agree with you completely.

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Thanks for the great comment Melissa!

[@ronmilford1358]

Just the way Secretariat pulls away is awesome!

[@lgen2458]

Alan Jerkins said that both Spectacular Bid and Citation were better than Secretariat,who he twice defeated in back to back grade 3 races in 1973 with very average horses in Onion and Prove Out....Willie Shoemaker said that Spectacular Bid was by far the best horse he ever rode or saw,and his horse J.O.Tobin defeated Seattle Slew by a pole in the 1977 Hollywood derby causing the owners of Slew to fire his trainer Billy Turner...Secretariat retired after racing on the turf in Woodbine in the fall of 1973 and was retired to stud shortly thereafter and did not race as a four year old...Do you really think that Secretariat would have gone 9 for 9 as a 4 year old if he raced in 1974 as a 4 year old all in grade 1 stake races like Spectacular Bid did facing the likes of Forego,Sham,Honest Pleasure and Ruffian and forced to carry 136 pounds in each race the way that Spectacular Bid did?

[@tonynaccarato4751]

The BID, was immortal, took my breath away, to somewhere, where the GODS live.

[@348Tobico]

Thanks for the honorable mention of Ruffian. She was a marvel and a warrior and I cried so hard watching that race unfold. Her loss is one of the greatest "what if"'s in racing. Just imagine the foals she could have produced with the best studs of the era. Such a loss.

[@j.c.sallet4870]

Perfectly said. Only death could defeat her. I still believe she would have been the greatest!

[@stuballs42]

Think about it people ,over 2,000,000 horses have been born since the great Secretariat ran ,and still no horse has beaten his records!

[@yankeehomer3300]

Brent - great job, cannot disagree with your #1. I'm convinced that Secretariat is not only the greatest racehorse of all time, but the best athlete I have ever seen. Most people don't realize the microscopic probability for one horse to not only win the Triple Crown, set the race record in all three races, but to have them as still standing records 49 years later. Just incomprehensible. Glad to see that you noted in the comments about Secretariat's continuous acceleration in the Derby (each 1/4 mile faster than the one before) and not getting hit once by his jockey in the Belmont (ditto in his Preakness, btw). One interesting tidbit I'll add is that his Marlboro was a very underrated win. Secretariat beat one of the greatest fields ever, breaking the world record for a mile and an eighth by 4/5ths of a second DESPITE the fact that the track was only listed as "good" that day. There is an old article I found from the day after the race (NY Times, if memory serves me correctly), that cited the "good" track condition with the comment that one only could imagine what Secretariat's time would have been that day if it had been a fast track.

[@johnthomas6506]

when you factor in that those 3 races are all more than100 years old now, i don't know the average number of horses that ran in each, lets just say 10 to make it easy. 100 years, so 300 races give or take, 90 horses ran each year so 9,000 world class race horses. What are the odds that 1 horse would own all 3 records and still be holding them 50 years after setting them? Not to mention he was only turned loose 1 time (Belmont) and even then Turcott said he didn't do anything but sit there. He never asked him to run, run faster keep going nothing! After Sham dropped back Turcott said Secretariat just galloped the rest of the way, not even running hard. Yet still increased his lead the last 1/4 mile from 18 lengths to 31 at the wire. That was God showing what he could build a horse to do!

[@mmmattf6968]

I was at Belmont when Spectacular bid won his WALKOVER- What a decade the 70s was!! My favorite FOREGO was always giving weight away

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Thanks for the comment. I believe the 70's was the best decade for horseracing. I will be putting out a few more videos soon. What a horse Spectacular Bid was. Forgoe was a beast as well. People forget he came in 4th in the 73 Kentucky Derby. But as a 4 and 5 year old he was just an incredible closer who carried a ton of weight.

[@makingthecoin3647]

@@brentmagnussen3173 Yes FOREGO was fourth his trainer had said he was a late bloomer odds showed it he was 22-1 but knew he had fire in him when in the race he slammed the fence and recovered then showed burst of speed which showed them a different side of him and kept that in mind when part of his 4 yo campaigned sprinted FOREGO who went on to win the Carter defeating Mr.Prospector. Just the beginning.

[@krazy8chris670]

Great list. I have never cried in my life watching any hose race and I’m 56 years old. When I watch secretariat to this day i still cry every time I watch the Belmont he just makes you feel like he just makes you feel all these emotions.

[@jamessansone3455]

I literally cried when he passed, the absolute greatest athlete I ever had the pleasure of seeing

[@glennvieregge934]

VERY WELL SAID. LESTER WAS TOUGH AS NAILS... .

[@jamessansone3455]

@@glennvieregge934 you called Big Red Lester? They also call Michael Jordan or LeBron James the greatest athlete, they never saw Big Red, finito

[@fungoorstitch]

I'm sorry, but Secretariat doesn't belong on ANY horse racing ranking list for one simple reason. He wasn't a race horse; he was Secretariat.

[@philrobertson6813]

The Preakness and Belmont still give me goose bumps watching Secretariat. People were crying at the race knowing they just saw something that was near unbelievable

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Roger that Phil. It's spooky how fast he ran that Belmont. And Ronnie never even thought about bringing out the whip. What a run... thanks for the comment!!

[@sylivalancer8292]

THAT might well Never be seen again.

[@philrobertson6813]

@@sylivalancer8292 Turn 1 at the Preakness is the greatest athletic moment I've seen in my life. Last place to first on the outside no less,..in 180 yards!!

[@ripsaa2693]

I remember watching The Belmont as a 10 year old kid ..was crying at the end

[@brandocommando5878]

It wasn't just unbelievable, Secretariat did the impossible.

[@geraldineclarke5434]

Thanks so much for the memories! As a very small child, I saw Citation run (and win.) I'll never forget it. (My memory was helped by re-watching and re-watching my father's film of the race.) And several times, even though I wasn't big on dog shows, I went to the Saluki Nationals held at the Kentucky Horse Park. I'd walk my dogs through the Park before the tourists showed up and got acquainted with Forego and Rambling Willie and several times I saw Cigar and John Henry have a match race in their adjoining paddocks. John Henry's groom got to know me and let me feed him the peppermints he loved.) Such great memories!

[@evaosteenallen7957]

Your number one pic is right on! No one can argue with his unmatched record times. Not to mention the best in the business referring to him as "The Horse That God Built"!!!!❤❤❤

[@Cashcrop54]

You can't make a list like this without controversy. It's the nature of the beast. I do agree that Secretariat as #1. I watched all 3 races of the Triple Crown. The picture of Turcotte looking back over his shoulder scares me every time. Turns out it scared him too but he said he couldn't resist.

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Thanks for the comment Mark!

[@patriciahilbish3982]

Secretariat is my #1. I wish I’d seen him run in person,but seeing him run even on TV was amazing. In person would be phenomenal. It’d be like seeing Streisand sing in person when she came back to the stage after decades away.. People flew in from around the globe. We handed tissues to each other. No embarrassment. The people who heard her sing after such a long time started crying. When sang ”I don’t know why I’m frightened..I know my way around here.”, you knew you were experiencing a talent that defies description or logic.That was Secretariat.

[@charleshacker4456]

oh my goodness, not a horse racing fan and was 23 years old in 1973. but sports pages was full of articles, pictures and almost everyone became a fan of Secretariat and followed and pulled for him. I am so amazed by him and it makes me emotional watching veidos of him. Love Basketball, Drag Racing, Football, etc. and SECRETARIAT!!!

[@brendanoneill1466]

I think this is a really good list. I think if Ruffian had had a longer career, or War Admiral or Seabisquit had won a greater number of the total races. But clearly...a great list. And Secretariat was THE greatest athlete/race horse I have ever had the privledge to meet. (was lucky enough to pet him as a child).

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Thanks for the great comment!! Love Ruffian. She never gave up the lead. For me she will always be the female Secretariat. She was incredible and I hate that her career was cut short.

[@marjoriecoey3418]

I think Phar Lap too was great! Too bad he was murdered.

[@noelharris1177]

@@brentmagnussen3173 Ruffian,1st at every call in every race.Set or tied 7 track n Stakes records in just 10 starts was pulling away from Foolish pleasure n would have beaten him. Fastest hosre I ever saw n she was never asked for extra. . .

[@brentmagnussen3173]

@@noelharris1177 well said. Ruffian was incredible. There is very good argument with only 10 full races that she is the best filly ever. People will say Personal Ensign or Black Caviar, Lady's Secret, the great Winx, Makyeb Diva, the awesome Rachael Alexandra, Kincsem, and Rags to Riches. Ruffian just didn't have enough time to prove herself against the boys and whoever. At tge end of tge day, if Ruffian is your #1 filly of all time, I won't argue with you. Thanks for the comment!

[@realtruth2817]

@@brentmagnussen3173 Wait a sec. Rachel at 3? Won't happen again. Just like Secy. Her physicality's were/are ridiculous. Monster Goddess. WOW!!! She loped around Churchill without being asked to run in 1:48+... The Preakness from the 13 hole with Breeders Cup Sprint winner Big Drama & American Pharaohs daddy (Pioneer of the Nile) floating her. What She did in the Preakness was r i d i c u l o u s. Ever see the head start the outside gets in a Track Meet? lol The Mother Goose in 1:46 totally 'eased' the last ""1/16th"". lol The Haskell in 1:47 against super stallion Munnings & the Belmont winner Summer Bird...lol In the slop. SIX lengths! lol The Woodward? Ever see the Beyers of her competition in that race? The ONLY mistake with Rachel was Jackson taking her out of training for SIX months after Woodward. They were scared to risk her bringing her back at FOUR. Rachel might of thought she did something wrong only winning by a neck. But ultimately that lay-off was too much. At 3, Rachel the female Secretariat. At 4, Spectacular Bid best EVER! Check out what John Nerud (Dr. Fager fame/trainer) had to say about Rachel. She was the Super Freak filly at 3. GL Good Work

[@texascoinhunter]

If I remember correctly, Ronnie Turcotte never used the whip during the Belmont. He basically just held on and Secretariat ran the race HE wanted.

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Thanks for the comment! You are spot on. What a race it was.

[@lgen2458]

I would have had Spectacular Bid at #1 or 2 because his only loss after the 1979 Belmont was to the 1978 Triple crown winner Affirmed in the Jockey Club Gold Cup and his nine races in 1980 were all equal to any of Secretariats 21 races (in which he was defeated 5 times)...,His Ragozin speed figures in all 9 of his races are still among the very fastest and best of all time!

[@brentmagnussen3173]

You make some great points. If I could only make one change to my list, I would have The Bid at #5, Native Dancer at 6 and The Slew at 7. But I put it out there so I will stick to my guns. I am as big a Spectacular Bid fan as you will find. I have a video coming up in July about him and two other special horses. You will love it I promise. Thanks for the comment and please subscribe.

[@lgen2458]

@@brentmagnussen3173 I look forward to seeing your upcoming posts...If Spectacular Bid hadnt stepped on a safety pin the night before the 1979 Belmont and been horrably ridden by his 19 year old jockey (who was high on Coke during this time and was arrested in the parking lot at Disney land and was thrown in jail) than Spectacular Bid would have won the 1979 Belmont by a pole...If that had occured than The Bid would have been a triple crown winner and racing historians would view The Bid the same way that they view Secretariat..The Bid easily defeated Coastal (the horse that beat him in the 1979 Belmont) in the 1979 Jockey Club Gold Cup,and totaly crushed all of his competition in 1978,1979 and 1980 multiple times...In Secretariats career he lost to several grade 3 types in Angle Lite,Onion,Prove Out and Shecky Green what do you think Spectacular Bid would have done to these wimps with Willie Shoemaker riding him instead of that drugged up kid from Dundalk Maryland who had no business riding such a great race horse?

[@makingthecoin3647]

@@lgen2458 hard to use a race where a great three year old races against a great older horse. It's a huge disadvantage and many more knowledgeable than myself do not detract a horse for a loss against an older champion.

[@richardplantan4375]

When you win the triple crown and in each of the three races he has the world record you know Secretariat is the GOAT.

[@mikehoffman1800]

I agree about the Preakness. Secretariat lowered that big butt and got tremendous thrust with his hind legs and easily, but spectacularly shot to the lead. What a burst of speed. Then he calmed down for a little bit as if awe of himself and to let it sink in to the losers he had just blasted past. For some reason he reminded me of John Wayne.

[@brentchavis9016]

Except he wasn't a nauseating RACIST. Secretariat was a GOD on Earth.

[@briang5646]

Cigar and Jerry Bailey tying citations record at Arlington was amazing. Cigar was one of the best in his prime and my favorite

[@jackwoods9604]

As far as Secretariat Lets not Forget how Absolutely DOMINANT he was on Grass/Turf as Well and Against TOP Turf Company..He was so GREAT on Dirt that his Turf Races get Overshadowed and his Turf Races were BRILLIANT...He could do it ALL

[@sergeantmasson3669]

jack woods, the best part is that Secretariat loved doing what he did. Ron Turcotte stated many times that the whip was only there because it was required but he never once had to use it. He only talked to Secretariat with words of praise/encouragement. Nothing else was ever needed. Eddie Sweat, his caretaker/groomer was with Secretariat more than any other human ever was. Eddie stated that Secretariat was the most intelligent horse that he'd ever seen/met. Secretariat was often a goofball in the barn.

[@johnhebert3986]

@ jack woods. Agreed. Secretariat beat the best turf horse in the country at the time, a horse named Tentam, in his 1st start on the grass, laughingly by 5 1/2 in the Man O' War Stakes. He also still holds the course record @ Belmont Park, for that 1 1/2 mile effort. 2:24 4/5. Not bad, for your 1st start on the turf. He then goes to Woodbine for his 2nd start on the turf, the last race of his career of course, and wallops a quality field of turf horses, that included Kennedy Road, Canada's turf champion, and eclipse award winner, and Big Spruce a very good horse in his own right, winning by 6 1/2. Turcotte claimed that Secretariat would have been a faster horse on the turf, then he was on the dirt, if given more of and opportunity. Will never know of course, but that is one scary thought. I know you know all of this already, but it is fun to reminisce. Secretariat truly could do it ALL, and then some.

[@colleenmonfross4283]

Agree with your list and appreciate the nod to Ruffian. I was blessed to see many of the greats you mentioned race and Secretariat still brings me to tears, he was perfection.

[@j.c.sallet4870]

Agreed. Ruffian was on track to be one of the greatest of all time.

[@Deznutz6969]

Ruffian was better then every horse on his list at 2 years old and she on talent alone should be in the top 2

[@marklewen9384]

​​@@Deznutz6969Ruffian at distance would get crushed by rachel Alexandra. The ONE time Ruffian ran vs a male, she had to run so hard because she was SO OUTCLASSED she hurt herself. Rachel destroyed males THREE times....

[@Deznutz6969]

@@marklewen9384 Bwahhhh ,outclassed? No horse ever even got in front of her in any race male or female till she broke down , Just look at her fractions and race times . Every one has opinions. She was the best 2 yr old this worlds ever seen . Racheal was a great horse but come on she wasn t even on Ruffians level...

[@marklewen9384]

@@Deznutz6969 no, she wasn't. MANY 2 yos fillies go undefeated(Song Bird, echo zulu etc) She ran vs GARBAGE. Foolish Pleasure one of the worst Derby winners in history, and she couldn't keep up with him. Rachel Alexandra beat males THREE TIMES in GR 1s, and is the only 3 yo FEMALE in history to win a grade 1 vs OLDER MALES on dirt around 2 turns. Ruffian was a good NY horse who never ran against anything, male or female. And as far as accomplishments go, she doesnt belong on the same page as the best american female of all time, LADYS SECRET...

[@cidersorbet2075]

Hi Brent. Great video. When you see a legend in the flesh then it really blows your mind. in the UK we have been very lucky to have had Frankel whom i saw live win in his final 2YO race and before him the ultra professional See The Stars in recent years. Two amazing horses who just smashed the opposition. Frankel was extremely flashy and was your Sugar Ray Leonard, whilst See The Stars just was a machine and won within himself like Floyd Mayweather. We hope Baaed or Desert Crown, our side of the pond, take the big step to become the next ethereal champion but when you see one just enjoy them as they come so rarely and there are many pretenders. Just another comment is that in UK and Ireland we have the jumps racing where horses run from 4 until 10 or 11. This is really where the true horse racing fans flock to as we get to see our heroes lock horns for many years and become household names. This is why the Cheltenham Festival is much much much bigger than Epsom, Royal Ascot, Longchamp and the crowds are huge for 4 very drink fueled days. It also explains the huge following Enable had as she was kept in training to try to win that 3rd eluisve Arc. I assume flat racing is king in US, but would be good to know if jumps racing's profile in US. If you asked an irishman they consider flat racing as dull and their top 5 would be all jumps horses with Arkle being their Secretariat.

[@6699230]

When all has been said and done of thoroughbred racing lore, I vote St Simon as the greatest.

[@brianwhitney9181]

When Jack Nickolas who watched the race from his home cried when he saw Secretariat cross the finish line at the Belmont he understood what perfection was all about.

[@tonynaccarato4751]

You gotta be kidding.

[@brianwhitney9181]

@@tonynaccarato4751 He understood what perfection meant. He over his entire career he tried for perfection in his game and at the end of the Belmont he saw it.

[@marklewen9384]

​@@brianwhitney9181secretariat lost 5 times....not perfect.

[@brianwhitney9181]

@@marklewen9384 His perfection was the triple crown and he has never been challenged by any horse to better all three times in those races. No one remembers who he lost to in those five races but they do remember every year that the triple crown races come up that no horse has ever beaten his performances or could do what he did in the Belmont that day.

[@marklewen9384]

@@brianwhitney9181 he lost to ONION...i remember. Secretariat had a heart(which is a muscle) TWICE the Size of an average horse ONE year after the East German women swimmers STEROID scandal of 1972. EVERYONE here in NY knows he was on anabolic steroids admitted to him by one of the great cheats in racing history(Lucien Laurin). But in '72, Steroids were "quasi" legal. BIG red didn't get " big" by accident...

[@theearl1477]

There are a lot of fine horses, but Secretariat was the greatest horse I ever saw. His career was culminated on 6-9-73 in the Belmont with the most remarkable performance you will ever see any race horse run. Another horse that deserves recognition is Forego. A late bloomer look at his races and understand the incredible amount of weight he carried and still won. In more modern times I would be remissed if I didn't mention Zenyatta who was the female version of Secretariat and beat many of the boys. To this day Mike Smith regrets not winning her last race, the Breeders Cup Classic.

[@tonynaccarato4751]

His last race was at Woodbine racetrack Toronto in the International.

[@harrycraft3359]

Did u ever c Man o War race .sheeple

[@harrycraft3359]

Did u not understand th statement that ManO War was never tested,th most handicapped horse ever had never felt th whip because he was never let loose to run to his full potential,which is y Owner Riddle retired him as a 3 yr old,nd th condition of tracks vs th 1970s,pluse MannOWar had a stride of almost 32 ft vs 28 for Seceratit, do th math Sheeple

[@tonynaccarato4751]

Secretariat lovers, only know one horse, the earl doesn't realize that horses have been running since the 1760, great ones at that.

[@tonynaccarato4751]

Wake up and smell the information from 1760,'s till today, and don't be a one trick pony.

[@Banichi04]

I enjoyed your list! I’m a very amateur horse-racing fan, but I loved horses as a little girl/teenager and read young adult books about great horses like Exterminator and Man O’War. Racing in the early to mid 1900s was a different world indeed! Anyway, I wanted to mention (for your audience, since I’m sure you know) that Man O’War also carried a tremendous amount of weight as handicappers tried to even up the odds a little. I think one of the reasons he was retired early was because of the greater and greater weight he was being asked to carry.

[@MaryBethMcCoy]

@Robin M Yes you are right and in addition, Man O’ War was essentially unbeaten and became one of the most influential sires of all time. Overall, I think Man O’ War is the greatest both because of his achievements both on the track and in the breeding shed.

[@makingthecoin3647]

@@MaryBethMcCoy I think you are right pretty obvious his historic breeding record has been dismissed because Secretatiats would pale on comparison.

[@2butnot277]

Fair list of greats, Brent, for Thoroughbred racing in the USA. Enjoyed your show.

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Thank you for the comment Alfredo! More videos coming soon

[@kennethnero2011]

Citation is the Greatest ever to me

[@davidramirez4810]

The loudest crowd roar I’ve ever heard was when Zenyatta won the Breeders Cup Classic in 2009 at Santa Anita. Unbelievable.

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Man I am jealous you were there David. What a race that was! And what a move she made to go outside and close like that. 17 hands and over 1200 pounds of pure awesome horsepower!!! She was incredible. I really wish we could have seen her and Rachael Alexandra go head to head. What a race it would have been. Thanks for the comment and please subscribe!

[@mstrunn]

@@brentmagnussen3173 Zenny would have beaten RA @ a mile and a 1/4 RA was a sprinter type.

[@makingthecoin3647]

@@mstrunn I agree totally

[@marklewen9384]

She was a synthetic star who ducked males her whole career unless its was at her quirky synthetic track. The best female of all time, LADYS SECRET, faced males at 7 different tracks in 6 states....

[@joecombs7468]

I was 11 when Secretariat won the triple crown. When the belmont started he took the lead immediately & Secretariat never did that. By the time he got to the first pole I thought he was going too fast & was going to lose the race because of that. When he came around that last turn he left everyone behind going faster than I thought a horse could go. I remember standing watching the finish yelling at the tv to the jockey "DON'T FALL OFF DON'T FALL OFF"

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Thanks for the comment!

[@stevenreeves9092]

Thank you. I just watched the 1973 Belmont and I was as excited watching as if I saw it on TV live. How very awesome, and indeed the numbers do not lie.

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Thanks for the great comment Steve!! The numbers do not lie...lol 👊👊👍

[@rcfred_689]

I am not a horse racing expert and I do not claim to be. But I have watched and listened to many horse racing experts discuss which horse is the best, and I think it is fair to say Secretariat is among the top 2-3 horses of all time. There is an interview done in 1976 with Eddie Arcaro and Ron Turcotte (may be online) and they discuss which horse was better, Citation or Secretariat. Both thought their horse was better, but Eddie did say, there is not a horse that ever existed that would have beaten Big Red on that particular Belmont day, June 9th, 1973.

[@eaglechawks3933]

Hard to argue with your picks. I think Secretariats fastest quarter though was that Preakness move -- but the screwup on the timers that day cost him the track record at Pimlico until they finally reviewed the film and fixed the times.

[@jimhenegan6751]

I know Affirmed lost a couple races after the Triple Crown, but his races with Aydar make him a top 10 horse for me. He refused to lose. Great heart.

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Great comment Jim. He is #12 on my list of the top 25 which I will be dropping soon. What a horse. The 2 losses to Seattle Slew hurt him, but the win over Speculator Bid makes him a legend. Let's also not forget just how good Alydar was. Any way you look at it, Affirmed was an absolute monster on the track.

[@Glenn-bi1od]

Brent -- you nailed it... hard to disagree with any of your selections.

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Thanks for the comment!

[@michaelsmith-iu1be]

You have a great list there. I am not an expert on horse racing but I love the history of especially the Triple Crown. I've watch most of of docs of the greatest horses. Whirlaway was a great story. Goofy horse, but also an inspiring time in history. Uplifting inspiration to the service men in ww2.

[@Godspeedjosh]

Great list. I wish Barbaro didn’t get hurt. He was something special. I think he would have been on this list eventually.

[@brentmagnussen3173]

I agree with you. Barbaro was a special horse. Thanks for the comment!!

[@Dec4AllTimeAlways]

Best Horses I've Seen In My Lifetime 1. Cigar 2. Zenyatta 3. American Pharoah 4. Skip Away 5. California Chrome 6. Justify 7. Ghostzapper 8. Silver Charm 9. Rachel Alexandra 10. Tiznow

[@michaelsmith-iu1be]

What about Mr. Ed? Not old enough?

[@glendapeterson1180]

I love them all. Learned last night that Rags to Riches (one of three fillies to win the Belmont) and daughter of AP Indy, granddaughter of Seattle Slew, g-g of Secretariat, had a foal by American Pharoah. What will he do? I'm sorry you missed Secretariat; I saw him on TV and almost pounded a hole in the den floor.

[@brentmagnussen3173]

That's awesome Glenda! Hopefully the Den floor ended up better than Sham that day....lol Thanks for the great comment

[@jumaris28]

I would give any penny I own to watch Secretariat run live !! At least I have videos of him throughout the internet.. I get chills and tears of joy just watching him . Lucky the ones who did watch him performed !!! ❤🐴

[@lgen2458]

If Spectacular Bid had Willie Shoemaker aboard for his entire 3 year racing career he would have gone undefeated except for just one race which was the 1979 Jockey Club Gold Cup race in which he lost fair and square to the great triple crown winner Affirmed by half a length as Affirmed was a year older than The Bid was and had the great Laffitt Pincay aboard...Brent go watch the replay of the 1986 Kentucky Derby and watch the way that Willie Shoemaker masterfuly guided Ferdinand from the dreaded one post/hole and on to victory over some great hall of fame grade 1 stake superstars like Broad Brush,Snow Chief,Groovy and Badger Land in much the same way that Sonny Leon guided Rich Strike to victory in this years 2022 Kentucky Derby...No horse has the Derby since than from the #1 hole which tells you that this is the difference a jockey can and will make in a horses finish...If Ronnie Franklin had ridden Ferdinand in the 1986 Kentucky Derby he would have broken badly,been checked multiple times,raced wide and probably finished in mid pack 7th or 8th.If Willie Shoemaker had been with Spectacular Bid not just in races but also in his training starting at Barbara Grahams farm in Virginia in 1978 when he was just one year old through his entire 3 year racing career instead of that Crack head Ronnie Franklin can you imagine the racing career that he would have had?

[@michaelcolucci357]

As a casual race fan I am still in awe of Secretariat in the 1973 Triple crown. HIS Belmont stakes race is magical to behold.

[@kimberlyjones4590]

Secretariat there will never be another one like him... a true freak of nature .. with back femur bones 1 1/2 times the length which gave him a longer under reach which is where their power comes from that 22 lbs heart that gave him such great lung capacity which fed that much more oxygen to his muscles that gave him those extra bursts in speed without fatigue not in my lifetime nor my children's children .........will there ever be another great horse like this again God's most Perfect Prize of Equine perfection ....

[@pamelliott1642]

Secretariat was not a "freak of nature" He was the Horse that God built. And so, he was perfection just the way God intended.

[@kimberlyjones4590]

@@pamelliott1642 get a . life PAM

[@Deznutz6969]

Ruffian was also a horse we won t ever see again.

[@kimberlyjones4590]

@@Deznutz6969 I remember that race I was watching she broke her leg your right no telling what she would have done in her racing career she was a tall girl

[@CODYj423]

The '73 Preakness and Belmont are still amazing to watch.

[@denisnosworthy7759]

You need to consider Black Caviar (unbeayen over 25 starts) and Makybe Diva ( three consecutive Melbourne Cups). Of course it us difficult to compare stayers and sprinters but I do agree that Secretariat was the GOAT

[@sydhenderson6753]

Kincsem was unbeaten in her 54 starts in the 19th century but I don't know what the competition was like. (Black Caviar was also a filly.) Then there's Colin who was 15 - 0 in the opening years of the 20th Century.

[@scarlettg6136]

You nailed it. But, number one was tough. I just can't choose from the absolute greatests of all time. Loved horse racing 🐎 in the 70s, too. And, I was alive and watching. Thank you for memories and tears. Great list.

[@jabbahut753]

Not only was Secretariat the best horse to ever race, was the greatest athlete ever born! I qualify this with whenever they raced the won running away from the pack!!

[@stevenelief6784]

Sir, your list is superbly accurate, and having seen Big Red at Woodbine, is the most dreadful conditions-that God for EP Taylor and his influence. My $5.00 ticket is in laminate, showing its age. Most people don't realize the great field he mowed down. Before The International was ruined, he was a champion. After the race, it was like having seen The Beatles. Eddie Maple knew what he had. That type of stamina, with speed might never be seen again.

[@chocolatetownforever7537]

Great story sir.

[@brentmagnussen3173]

Thanks for the great comment Steven!! Happy New Year!

[@gregbear6998]

Loved it,already had my horses picked before hand. Had 5 to 1 in order..No American Pharaoh..bummer,had him at 7 or 8

[@tdvcleve]

Excellent list. I was very fortunate to see Secretariat race in person. His final race at Woodbine. Not mention I was fortunate to see him in person at Claiborne Farms. A photo I’ll always cherish. Big Red his caretaker and me! I agree with you about the turn at the Preakness. An amazing burst of speed. If that doesn’t give you goosebumps then you’re not a horse racing fan. The Belmont it’s truly one of the greatest athletic performances ever!

[@nicetna2010]

Secretariat set records with all three TC wins, records that still stand to this day. His first two records, Kentucky Derby & Preakness, were basically just 'warm-ups' for his Belmont performance. During his Belmont performance, he actually built momentum with each lap, his final lap being the quickest. Epic performance.

[@sharonrayburn9165]

He will always be the greatest racehorse that ever lived I consider he the Elvis of racehorses

[@thomasharding1838]

I believe the race is only one lap. The track length is 1 1/2 miles. Mayhaps you meant to say "quarter" or "turn".

[@smbake]

I was at Zenyatta's Breeders Cup win in '09. May be the most electric sporting event I've ever seen in person, not to mention one of the greatest wins.

[@marklewen9384]

Most over rated accomplishment misunderstood by simpletons. She was racing over a synthetic track that none of her opponents ever ran on. She had an ENORMOUS advantage...

[@PennyAuctionTom]

a couple of old race dudes saw them both, and they agreed that Secretariat was the greatest of all and times, and surfaces, and Beyer Index's all backed up this incredible horse. His HEART AFTER PASSING WEIGHED 17 LBS! MOST HORSES AROUND 11-12! HE HAD A HELLCAT MOTOR THAT CRACKED OXYGEN LIKE IT WAS BUTTER~

[@Makado14]

Secretariats heart weighed between 21 and 22 pounds.

[@tonynaccarato4751]

The horse was full of hay, and a bit!

[@makingthecoin3647]

@@tonynaccarato4751 go Tony

[@tonynaccarato4751]

Yeah, sure, big heart, I talked to jimmy jones, and vincent obrien, those two know a little bit about horses, and they told me, just like seabiscut beat up on another triple crown winner, its not the big heart, its the kahhoooonnnes, that win the race, like man o war, pharlap, citation, sea bird, and the greatest NORTHERN DANCER, he was the APLHA MALE, and he showed it in the breeding shed, not goose rumped, sec, and thats a fact.

[@Makado14]

His heart was 22 or 26 pounds

[@nicholashayes4081]

Good job putting Secretariat first- I completely agree! Set track records at Kentucky Derby (each 1/8 of mile faster than previous), Preakness, & finally The Belmont

[@billshore3452]

Great list. I was a little surprised War Admiral didn't make the cut, but there is no arguing the top 3.

[@mitchellbaker9434]

Been into horse racing for 50 years, and though I could nit pick a little and go for Ruffian over Zenyatta (Ruffian never was involved in a close finish. To the front and good bye), overall this was a good list. By the way, for Secretariat, you should mention the one time he ran on grass, the surface he was best bred for. I'm not sure they've broken his record at the distance to this day. And the 70s were the best.