Secretariat and his enduring legend of 50 years later | NBC Sports

Tim Layden looks back at the greatness of Secretariat 50 years after his unforgettable run in the 1973 Triple Crown and looks at the storytellers who kept his story alive. #NBCSports #HorseRacing #KentuckyDerby
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Secretariat and his enduring legend of 50 years later | NBC Sports
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[@janetgallo5720]

I had the thrill of being at Belmont stakes and 73 and watching the most magnificent horse win. He was so beautiful, like beauty in motion. There was no awkwardness or jaggedness or roughness. He just floated, his legs flowing under him. His body floated. God’s gift.

[@leecowell8165]

WOW I would have given anything to have been there in retrospect. Didn't keep a straight face that day, did you? Well I didn't either it just blew me away I was watching it live with my parents & it got to all of us.

[@N.S.56]

Incredible. I’ve watched the last race so many times I can’t count.

[@walkawaycat431]

Secretariat was Pegasus.

[@purplejesus-wt1nh]

God bless your soul I always dream what the air smelled like, how hot it was and I can almost feel it

[@Psyfi85]

@@walkawaycat431 in the flesh, once in an eternity.

[@N.S.56]

His 1973 season was the most dominating season in history in any sport…. The fact that he still holds the record for ALL 3 triple crown races 50 years later, is utterly amazing. Advances in breeding selection, genetic markers, nutrition, training and recovery, none of that can catch Big Red

[@hattiem.7966]

The vets were all crying over his body when he died.They were shocked that his heart weighed around 25 lbs.

[@jamespenny9482]

Well said!

[@richd3044]

I'm a Secretariat fan, but he was also defeated three times in 1973, two of which it's well documented that he was sick. Citation was undefeated in 20 races as a 3 year old, and Spectacular Bid was undefeated at 4 years old, setting track and world records. Although I think Secretariat at his best could have defeated just about any other horse in history, your comment about the most dominant season is debatable.

[@N.S.56]

@@richd3044 see your point but I’m not sure citation could’ve beaten sham….3 times in a row

[@richd3044]

@@N.S.56 Probably. Citation's competition not really eye opening in 1948. Coaltown for instance was clearly better at 4 years old.

[@florence775]

I had the pleasure of seeing him run. I knew when I first saw him he was something special. Also saw him at his farm, such a beauty, and he would pose, knowing his picture was being taken. Those records will never be broken and there will never be another horse like him. Amen

[@carolparr4062]

Wow! It is so wonderful you could be a part of Secretariat's life.

[@carariela]

Amen🙏✝️🙏

[@vyte6531]

Incorrect. There’ll always be records broken.

[@vickihunt8988]

AMEN ❤

[@robertpiel7250]

To this day and since 1973, Secretariat has given me goosebumps and is the greatest athlete of all time.

[@browningbelgium2326]

Brings tears to the eyes to think there won't be another like him.

[@Nurturing2]

Beautiful soul and a demonstration that greatness is within each of us and the possibility of tapping into our own is real. He inspires me to the depths of my soul!!! I respectfully disagree with the commenter regarding the Preakness. He wasn’t mad at himself for being last out of the gate. He was pacing himself. Ultimately, he ran his own race at the Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths. We ♥️ you, Big Red!!! ~Penny Fairhart 😘

[@sl-rt5kv]

Not sure Secretariat was the greatest horse of all time, let alone the greatest athlete. For example, Citation won 19 races in a single season versus 9 races for Secretariat. There is no evidence that Secretariat had the ability to win 19 races in one season. It's unclear that he could win that many races in two seasons. That said, I wouldn't say Citation was greater than Secretariat. They were _different._ Citation is just one example. There are other horses who accomplished things that Secretariat never did and probably never could.

[@robertpiel7250]

I am not in disagreement with you about other great horses but to me, Secretariat is the greatest and Sea Biscuit is my number two. That is just the way I feel. I love Citation and he deserves every accolade he gets.@@sl-rt5kv

[@Pengroves]

“Touches something in our souls,”, I think that line nails it

[@francesmeyer8478]

Still does, present tense!

[@Raptorman0909]

Defeating the other horses in the race was what made him a Triple Crown champion, setting records at those races that still stand made him immortal! It didn't hurt that he was a spectacularly beautiful being...

[@Dec4AllTimeAlways]

Greatest athlete to ever walk this Earth. And he was a beauty to look at. Perfect horse that God ever created for us.

[@CODYj423]

Dammit. I cried when I saw this yesterday. And again today. 😢 That first turn in the Preakness is the most amazing thing I've ever watched in racing.

[@One10cc]

Heart that 2.5 size bigger than other normal racehorse is mind boggling and those triple crown track records he set i guess will never be broken 🔥🔥🔥

[@guayames]

Incredible it was 50 years ago. Seems like yesterday!

[@niltomega2978]

50 years on and Secretariat reminds us of just how unique he was. He still holds all 3 track records of the triple crown. I was only 7 years old and remember because it was such big news.

[@ricksegal3065]

Tears. He will always be loved and never forgotten!! Love and miss you Big Red. One of the greatest athletes ever!!!!

[@AmbassadorScorpio]

He identifies as a they/Them now... change your comment or the LGBCDEFGHQBRANDON Swat Team will pay you a friendly visit

[@iadiramorales68]

This are the stories that matter most. What a phenomenal of a magical beautiful horse. She never gave up on him, everyone told her to sell that horse, Penny believed and took a leap of faith, oh what wonder, and look at what immersed. A GIANT ❤

[@AmbassadorScorpio]

a Male Giant..as MAtt Walsh would point out...

[@walkawaycat431]

@kozakoloko Zenyatta was 17.2 hands high and weighed over 1200 Lbs. Huge Filly. Of course, Secretariat is Pegasus.

[@HHIto]

I love Secretariat forever, the greatest horse of all time! ❤❤❤

[@makula5543]

Chic Anderson's call of Belmont 1973 was legendary! Love that call and love the Greatest Horse of All-Time!

[@CrystalSanchez094]

Secretariat was god's horse, and he ran like it, he will forever be the king of horse racing, the father of the 73 season, to think that the record times that he left behind would still stand 5 decades later truely immortal

[@josebulang7981]

He must be Bucephalus reborn.

[@Psyfi85]

@@josebulang7981no, Sham was Bucephalus. Sec was Pegasus

[@joemacinnis1972]

I never tire of watching him run that Belmont Stakes. It was absolute perfection! A record that may stand forever 😮

[@johnf5967]

secretariat was great, but we also shouldn't forget the great achievement of Sham. He was 2nd in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and only faded in the Belmont because of an injury. He ran the second fastest Kentucky Derby in history. A great horse that in any other year would have been a triple crown champion!

[@ehoffman2260]

You can certainly say that Sham was born at the wrong time. He was a great horse.

[@kimberlytyrcha5930]

Sham was a good horse, but I don't know if he would've won a Triple Crown. He couldn't handle the Belmont. He finished dead last.

[@KellyRussell-xg2lx]

He was 2nd

[@rappar191]

He finished last in the Belmont Pincay was instructed to take him out fast to keep up with Big red. he faded badly after tiring in the streach.@@KellyRussell-xg2lx

[@gyges5495]

Any other time and Sham would’ve been triple crown winner

[@tn7183]

Who else got goosebumps?? this horse was the GOAT!!.

[@leecowell8165]

no doubt about that AT ALL!

[@briannahernandez6627]

Yes I did 🤩

[@michaeldinkins9145]

Best ever

[@jm1657]

Forever goosebumps.

[@AmbassadorScorpio]

Go SHAM!!... lol

[@horsinaroundwithaudrey2313]

I love him so much, my favorite horse in the entire world 😢❤❤

[@maryanneevans9563]

The greatest athlete of all time!

[@chakett76]

He captivated the nation. If we could only recapture that feeling again today.

[@carolkelly8848]

I will never forget how excited I was that day at the Belmont race track. I never thought I would see the race of my life. I have never forgotten it. I and the world fell in love with this magnificent horse.

[@Stephen-ou2lm]

What an incredible horse, had everything, speed, intelligence and beauty

[@leecowell8165]

AND on top of it all he was also very personable.

[@cherylrichards8951]

I watched his three races on television when I was a teenager. Every year now, I watch the Derby and always come away, saying the records won't be broken this year. He was and still is the original GOAT. RIP, Big Red.

[@marywinn8953]

I was 18 and watched every race on tv. I was jumping up and down, yelling for Secretariat to win. I still watch these on KZbin every year. The greatest,most beautiful horse.

[@sal4856]

For one shinning moment inthe Belmont the country was united and cheering

[@buckfan1969]

Every year at Derby time I go back and re-watch those races. Feel privileged to have seen them back then. One of 3 sporting achievements that I feel stand out above all the others I've seen in the last 72 years, along with the Miracle on Ice and Nicklaus at the 1986 Masters.

[@ethanchadwick1566]

That Belmont win is one of the greatest athletic performances of all time!

[@rufust.firefly4890]

I watched all 3 Triple Crown races on tv. Most amazing horse ever.

[@ceilingunlimited-cp5kq]

Had the privilege to get up close and personal with him many times

[@henrywasserman]

Tell us your story.

[@nealbennett4950]

Very very lucky person .

[@terencem8795]

Magnificence. Period.❤

[@jbrammell1]

Secretariat. Greatest athlete of all time. And if you disagree you’re wrong.

[@marymarseglia4536]

Great gorgeous horse!!

[@coco0789]

Greatest athlete of all time

[@susiekeel6732]

Legend! 🌟 Still brings a tear to my eye. Phenomenal Thoroughbred. 💖

[@CarolStJohn-ev9ry]

Well done, thank you. Secretariat is truly the Greatest Of All Time.

[@anandguruji83]

R.I.P SECRETARIAT

[@anandguruji83]

R.I.P SECRETARIAT

[@ursulatevis5146]

What a beautiful horse. The ultimate racehorse. The very best of the best of the best. There are others who are brilliant, but they do not, I'm sorry to say, are close to the mighty Secretariat !

[@chrisskates1038]

Beautiful tribute to a magnificent champion!

[@jamesbernardin4052]

Never before, and never again, will there be a horse like Secretariat.

[@jm1657]

Mr. Layden - This piece is so beautiful & touching. Makes me tear up. So true; Secretariat stirred one’s soul then & still does today. Thank you for putting together this timeless tribute & your lovely narration. Secretariat, Now & Forever ❤🌟🌈

[@cvent8454]

I feel in love with Big Red when I first watched him run in 1973 and have been in love with him ever since. The greatest horse ever.

[@patgarrett811]

I loved this horse So much!! Still Do.

[@nealbennett4950]

The way horse racing is going it may be another fifty years before another horse wins the triple crown . But I don't believe no other horse will ever do it the way he did .

[@JohnCritch-tf4mb]

The greatest athlete of all time.

[@Johnny53kgb-nsa]

I was at the Ky Derby in 1973 and witnessed greatness. Still the greatest race horse ever.

[@fifiladu2659]

Watching this wondrous horse still brings literal tears to my eyes. What a magnificent creature. ♥️

[@donwest8031]

i haven't watched a single triple crown race since 1973- there's no need, i'll never in my life see another horse like Big Red!! he was & will always be the greatest horse ever!!

[@kathyhurt4476]

He is the greatest racing horse ever.

[@ethanchadwick1566]

People can debate goats in different sports but there is absolute zero when it comes to this!

[@niltomega2978]

Yep. He still still holds the record for all 3 races. debate over.

[@ethanchadwick1566]

Belmont is one of the greatest all time performances in all of sports

[@challloyd215]

Lol

[@ktm9202]

Beautiful testimony for a spectacular legend!

[@donsampson9076]

Remember watching with my Dad,one of those moments that you will always remember.

[@robindelude3787]

He was an amazingly spectacular creature!

[@sarajanesmith3892]

I saw all 3 races, and I still am in awe!

[@tomlarnie2581]

the fact that he owns all three track records 50 years later tells you the story. When you see the story, most will fall in love with the horse.

[@sl-rt5kv]

Actually Secretariat does not hold the track record for 1 3/16 miles at Pimlico where he ran the Preakness. Instead the track record belongs to Farma Way who ran the distance in 1:52.4.

[@graceradcliffe4044]

A real tear-jerker for sure! Love this!

[@christinematton4125]

❤ still loving this horse ❤

[@kingfish6116]

Greatest horse of all time hands down!!

[@2CalaLilly]

I love you Red. I always will.

[@bethfiori4708]

You can tell he was happy when he ran, and that happiness made him even more beautiful.

[@jimturnbull2343]

I watched him live and I still tear up and marvel at what I witnessed what a horse

[@ValleyoftheRogue]

Tim Layden wrote a great piece for Sports Illustrated about track announcer Chic Anderson and his call of the 1973 Belmont.

[@LadyDragonsblood]

I was 11 years old, and glued to the TV for anything on Big Red. He was my childhood sport hero. I will admit, I cried through this tribute. I have always said, every record is made to be broken... but, I think Big Red's records will stand for eternity. He was a creature, truly touched by God, at a time when the world was broken. Secretariat, gave us hope... he will live in the hearts of generations to come. Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with such a beautiful creature. God Bless you, Big Red.

[@elizabethburnham4692]

There will never be another Secretariat. ❤❤

[@bertmustin]

The Belmont showed his greatness. The Preakness showed his skill.

[@AnaMariazander]

He knew who he was!!! Pure magic!!!

[@touchofgrey5372]

@0:34 "...as if angry at himself..." What a statement! He was a very smart horse.

[@saravanderhoek4024]

I agree. I would replace the word 'anger' for 'love'.

[@tracydavis8982]

I have been thinking about Big Red, all day. I only (taped) today's, May 6, 2023, Kentucky Derby Show, which lasted for (5 1/2 hours), because I knew that Secretariat's, (50th Anniversary) of his historic Kentucky Derby win, would be shown, and brought up today.😙 I cannot believe that it has been (50) years, since SECRETARIAT, won the (1973) Triple Crown! I had tears in my eyes, today, thinking of Secretariat, aka Big Red! Secretariat, LOVE and MISS you, and you will ALWAYS be my FAVORITE Racehorse!!!!!😍 I will be (taping) the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes, only because Secretariat, will be brought up, and discussed, on those Shows as well, due to the (50th) Anniversary, of his Triple Crown win. Especially, the Belmont Stakes, where SECRETARIAT, won by (31) lengths, over SHAM, on June 9, 1973!!!!! So, I definitely, will be looking forward to (2023) Belmont Stakes! Also, I would like to acknowledge some Anniversaries, of other notable Racehorses😎: JUSTIFY, will be celebrating his (5th.) Anniversary, in June, 2023, on winning his Triple Crown in (2018); AFFIRMED, who won the Triple Crown in (1978), passed away in (2001), the (45th.) Anniversary of his Triple Crown win, will occur in June, 2023, and CITATION, aka, Big Ci, who won the Triple Crown in (1948), passed away in (1970), and the (75th.) Anniversary of his Triple Crown win, will occur in June, 2023. SEATTLE SLEW, who passed away in (2002), won his Triple Crown, in (1977), so his (45th.) Anniversary Triple Crown win, was last year, in June, 2022. AMERICAN PHAROAH, Triple Crown winner, in (2015), will be celebrating his (10th.) Anniversary Triple Crown win, in June, 2025. Also, a Big shout out to WHIRLAWAY, Triple Crown winner, in (1941), and WAR ADMIRAL, Triple Crown winner, in (1937). I really love these Triple Crown winners, but SECRETARIAT, is the one that I LOVE the most!🤗

[@christinematton4125]

Thank you for acknowledging all the triple crown winners!! Secretariat is also my favorite 😍

[@tracydavis8982]

@@christinematton4125, sure, you are welcome.☺

[@lightofthejul]

One like no other , once in many hundreds of years we mere mortals are given a glimpse of perfection , a gift that only God could have made ! A magnificence that only heaven could give and we were blessed to know ever so briefly ! I will never forget , he was part of youth yet untarnished at that point and an understanding even though I was young that I had seen a moment of what immortality looked like ! I saw Secretariat and I lived in breathed and rejoiced in his time ! Now as a Grandmother those moments still bring tears to my eyes ! I only hope to share his story and those films with my Grandchildren! And yes ! Big Red still means that much to all of us who were part of his time ! Thank you for this brief but eloquently put video ! ❤️🥰❤️🥰🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻And thank you Penny ( in your heaven now ) and thank you RED for letting us glimpse heavens perfection even if only for a little while ! Thank you ! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@FinnishLapphund]

The simple fact that all these years later no horse has yet beaten his race records in either of the 3 Triple Crown races says it all. A true legend.

[@kathythomas1783]

Makes me cry every time I watch 😢😢😢😢😢🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤I will keep watching ❤❤❤❤❤

[@SirPercival1207]

Legendary live eternally

[@angelvalle9963]

One of the greatest athletes of alltime💪💪💪

[@BlackbettyBamdalam]

That photo😢😢😢😢bringse to my knees ...OMG it just brings me back to the best story my dad every told me

[@kimcain5895]

Wow. I remember it! As a teenager in love with horses!❤

[@JPHOUSTONWOLF]

So awesome I saw that race!

[@honchocheetah8173]

The greatest horse that ever lived! Secretariat!

[@crusader4273]

Beyond Any And All Doubts. GOAT ❤⚘️⚘️⚘️⚘️

[@barbaraweddleton]

One of the most exciting things you'll ever see in a lifetime!

[@robinwilson2238]

Queen elizabeth stood in awe when she meet him.

[@markthomas3730]

I KNEW SECRETARIAT PERSONALLY...SPENT MORE THAN A FEW HOURS WITH HIM. 1973..TRUTH

[@dewayneleek4588]

Wish I could have pet this horse on the nose just once,,I was ten yrs old on his last race,, watching it on tv,,but I remember it like it was yesterday

[@johnhebert3986]

I was supposed to attend the Belmont, with my father. That race would have been my introduction, to horse racing. I was just 9 years old, but understood the significance of the event. Unfortunately, my mother thought, it would be a better idea if I was to go on a class field trip, to the Catskill Game Farm, in upper state NY. I remember my mother, and father having daily discussions, during the week leading up to the race, about what event I was going to attend. Of course I was rooting, for the Belmont. In the end, my mother won out, and it was off to the game farm for me. Only missed the greatest performance by a race horse of all times. All was not lost though, as I was able to attend the 73 Marlboro Cup, with my father, later that summer. Secretariat, did not disappoint. He trounced one of the greatest fields of older horses ever assembled, including his stablemate, Riva Ridge. He also did so in world record time for 1 1/8th. 1:45 2/5ths. Of course I have forgiven my mother, all though, I still sometimes tease her, about missing that race. It sure would have been great, to be in attendance for the 73 Belmont.!

[@rebeltvr6046]

The legend, greatest athlete of all time, Secretariat.

[@DebbieDavis-d6e]

3:23 ❤❤❤, yes, goosebumps it bring and remember watching "Big Red" run like the wind in the 1973 Triple Crown. I recall my dad said we'll never see a repeat like this in our lifetime. Thanks for keeping his legacy alive!

[@chriss.7166]

I am not a horse person, but I love the film about Secretariat!❤

[@pablogiuliani4695]

secretariat inmortal !!!

[@maximocesse9982]

The one and only ❤ Big Red.

[@aharrington1000]

Big Red❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@marjoriec.6624]

What a horse ❤❤❤❤

[@debrameadows6289]

Wonderful Secretariat

[@ftjax]

Geeze Secretariat is the American dream not just a horse 🐴/ his record shows, he took the blows & did it his way

[@jeffandsherriefranzwa8970]

We lived in Paris, KY when Secretariat died at Claiborne Farm. He had developed a very painful, incurable condition. In the community, it was like a president had died. They withheld the announcement until he was buried to avoid the crush of media and public.

[@thechristianblogger1052]

Beautiful Horse by God design!

[@youraveragemexorican]

He EARNED that retirement ❤

[@richardcoreno]

Athletic Perfection

[@pamabbott5357]

Awesome still to this day !

[@theresafaust5690]

This horse was amazing. A legend He was a Pegasus. If he had wings, he would probably flown..

[@ddduva4440]

I remember watching all three races….and the Belmont was breathtaking.