Secretariat: The greatest win ever | Flashpoint

[@stevemitchell7981]

The record set by Secretariat will never be beaten.

[@matthewhunter6421]

In my opinion, Secretariat's Belmont performance is the most dominate athletic performance recorded. Absolutely amazing and never ceases to be inspirational.

[@leecowell8165]

I agree. because most records will eventually fall. But this is not gonna be one of them.

[@johndeeble4095]

No doubt

[@K.White629]

Big FACTS!!! Ron said, "That day I had 2 let him run"!!! Boss ish!!! Sometimes the jockey rides horse... This day I'm not sure what happened!!!

[@RichieKnowsBest]

Agreed....No human can do that.

[@theearl1477]

Hands Down!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@fearsomename4517]

"He is moving like a tremendous machine" Gets me every time.

[@loreedavis5988]

I get goosebumps every time I watch that race. It was other-worldly.

[@cvent8454]

Me too...

[@gryphenicedancer8796]

Is it my imagination or was he accelerating at the end? Wonderful horse, never be another like him. I got to meet him during a field trip in '78. So magnificent in person, and a real ham for the camera! The first camera flash and I swear he POSED. Straightened up, perked his ears and turned his head for a good shot.

[@rmp7400]

But it was his ❤️ heart that made the achievement possible. At his death, it was discovered that Secretariat had a healthy, and very oversized heart! Unless such a creature is again born with that asset, it is unlikely that such a remarkable performance could be duplicated.✨

[@bobbywise2313]

His Preakness performance is right up there with this. He went from last place to first in a couple of sconds and did it on the outside of a turn.

[@margaretjiantonio939]

That day, Secretariat was really tremendous machine.

[@larrydominguez7913]

Just a little perspective: Red won this race at a then world record on dirt of 2:24 flat for the mile and a half. Each 1/5 of a second is equal to one horse length. This means that Secretariat would have beaten the following Triple Crown winners by lengths--- American Pharaoh 13, Affirmed 14, Justify 20, Citation 21, War Admiral 23, Seattle Slew 28, Omaha 33, Assault 34 and Gallant Fox by 38. Even Man o War, considered by many to have been the greatest American race horse, would have lost his Belmont (at a mile 3/8) to Secretariat by 15 lengths. On June 10, 1973 Secretariat was the fastest, and greatest, race horse on the planet.

[@davidpadilla9468]

I saw all 3 races live on tv ..wow and still wow after 50 years

[@larrylindgren9484]

True. But would some of those horses run faster chasing. They were in the lead. So, they might have run faster. But beating Big Red that day. Probably not.

[@jm1657]

Great context. Thanks for this info Larry.

[@jimsy7al]

June 9th

[@dclark142002]

Of course, Man o War's times were done with massive weights to try to slow him down...something Secretariat never had to deal with. But yeah...Secretariat was something special.

[@davidw.robertson448]

On the morning of the 1973 Belmont Stakes Secretariat said to himself: "I think I'll show them something today they'll never forget".

[@hardwaylearner]

Secretariat had the greatest single athletic performance ever witnessed

[@leecowell8165]

I agree. why? because he set the bar so high it will NEVER be reached.

[@MrVvulf]

The closest I've seen by a human was what Eric Heiden accomplished at the 1980 Winter Olympics, when he won every single event in speed skating - 500m, 1000m, 1500m, 5000m and 10,000m. No one before or since has equaled his feat.

[@abdinaserabdilahi1718]

Usain Bolt 2009 9.58 100m record is the greatest singel ethletic performance. IMO

[@catherinelw9365]

Jockey great Eddie Arcaro said of Secretariat’s Belmont race, “… not one horse, living or dead, could have beaten Secretariat that day.”

[@larrylindgren9484]

You could say by the record set in the other 3 race. None would have beaten him in any of the races either. Wins are one thing. Records while winner and those records still standing 50 years later is something special.

[@mrvlsmrv]

Yeah, put the whip away.

[@mjleger4555]

So true! He was truly at his young best that day at Belmont, and he knew it, with his very strong, long stride! What a superior horse he was, anatomically and in spirit and in his big heart!

[@scottrackley4457]

@@mrvlsmrv Big Red never needed encouragement. He wouldn't let a horse outrun him.

[@ronaldmasters4031]

You seem to have forgotten the greatest horse of all time, WAS FRANKEL, unbeaten in many group 1s and finished 14.0 the speed was something I wil never ever forget, in slaughtering so any top group 1 winners was truly AMAZING

[@fishinwidow35]

Many say "He is moving like a tremendous machine" is the greatest call, myself thinks "Secretariat, all alone" is and sums up his entire career.

[@ClockCutter]

"Secretariat is all alone!" Which was left out of this vid, unfortunately. Along with the American flag blowing in the wind. The "tremendous machine" call occurs when the flag is in view. They advanced the track footage so that "tremendous machine" occurs much later in the race than it did, and edited out the rest to sync it back up for the finish line. What do you expect from the British? Their hate for America is legion.

[@catherinelw9365]

@@ClockCutter Geez, that's pathetic, that they did that. Sore losers.

[@myroselle6987]

“”He’s out there almost a 16th of a mile ahead of the other horses…..”. I think they were running out of words. There were no words that were good enough to meet the moment.

[@daves913]

I think secretariat, is an angel in disguised!! ❤️

[@kristoffermangila]

@Dave S he is a pegasus in disguise!

[@davegroll6599]

There will never ever be another secretariat till the world ends.

[@nealbennett4950]

He still holds the records for the Triple Crown and the thing is no horse will ever do it like he did .

[@doncarey3881]

This horse was truly a gift from God. His legacy will never be matched.

[@earlegavin5931]

Well said

[@nomiddlenamenmn427]

I agree. God built Secretariat and let him show us a glimpse of immortality. May he rest in powerful, precious peace.

[@sorellman]

@@nomiddlenamenmn427 So, who "built" the other horses? Just curious.

[@michelemark9952]

Had Johnny Wonder Boy not hurt his ankle area. ( He got a slight fracture leaving the gate) merve griffin his owner pulled him from the triple. He ran his heart too. Always behind, often won. He could have gone all the way!

[@oakley2782]

More like Steroids

[@AngelCatBaby]

I watched this race while being pregnant with my son. I will always remember it. I also could watch Secretariat run the Belmont, and all of the Triple Crown all day long. It seemed at each race he was increasing his lead more and more as he raced them. Secretariats body frame reminds me so much of Big Red, Man O’ Wars’ body frame that I was thinking that they were related somehow. Man O War, Secretariat, Ruffian are my favorite race horses of all time and they had the heart to carry them throughout their racing careers. Love makes all the difference in the world, helping to carry on, face life’s challenges and to do one’s best in life even when hardships and failures are around. This is a lesson I learned coming from them while in their racing careers. Penny loved Secretariat … HIGH 5….👍😎❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@ardiffley-zipkin9539]

Excellent ! I love the computer generated race and knew Secretariat would be the winner.. Rest in peace.

[@buckfan1969]

Still holds the all-time record for all 3 Triple Crown races almost 50 years after he set them. Incredible accomplishment.

[@TimesUp777]

That makes Big Red the GOAT.

[@Psyfi85]

And Sham still holds 2nd fastest KD time. RIP legends

[@laurenurban3942]

He was initially ripped off in the Preakness…

[@stevek8829]

​@@Psyfi85 yea, but there's no official time for second.

[@Psyfi85]

@@stevek8829 still broke the record. Could care less if he won or not

[@marcusanderson216]

There will NEVER be anoTHER Secretariat 🔥😤

[@efw9060]

I could watch Secretariat win the Belmont every day. Even though you know he's going to win, you still want to jump up and shout "Go". One of the best 'feel good' pieces of film ever. God created a SUPER horse for our enjoyment.

[@lhansel7584]

Me too!

[@jasismckinney5470]

God didn't create shit

[@annbolyn4910]

I still get that excited after watching him win for the 50th time!

[@AngelCatBaby]

God created a super horse to show us how to do our best and keep going even when things get tough. Secretariat also carried more weight than the other horses during his Belmont run, because of his wins in other races, whatever it is called, it’s balancing the field or whatever else they call it. I only know they do this…l🖖.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

Back in the early 80's, while on a vacation trip, I took my 4 daughters to Claiborn Farm to visit Secretariat. Even then he was a showoff "big ham" but he preferred my 4 daughters more than me. We went back again two weeks later while returning home. Same thing happened. His keeper gave each of my 4 daughters an aluminum horse shoe that Secretariat had once worn. They still have those 4 aluminum horse shoes even today. All I got was a brief head bump from Secretariat but we took a bunch of photographs. Most gorgeous/beautiful horse that I've ever seen in my lifetime.

[@lt6245]

God himself must have sculpted that horse. Such a perfect looking horse

[@sergeantmasson3669]

@@lt6245 No photos, or films, could ever compare to seeing that gorgeous/beautiful horse live in-person. He loved attention and when a camera began to click, he somehow knew to pose.

[@lt6245]

@@sergeantmasson3669 I wish I could go back in time and see that beautiful horse in person. Like you said, photos or videos don't do Secretariat justice. Not to mention, he looked so much bigger and muscular than the other horses that he was racing.

[@annbolyn4910]

Sergeant, I wish I had had that experience, and one of those horse shoes. I would have been happy with a little clipping of that gorgeous horse's hair!

[@jm1657]

To be head bumped by Secretariat… a thrill of a lifetime!! 🤗

[@dougr4796]

the thing that hardly gets mentioned is in the Kentucky Derby he ran each 1/4 mile faster then the previous, so he was running his fastest at the end of the race.

[@leecowell8165]

that's unreal. can you believe he was picking UP speed as that race progressed?

[@FishermanClay8108]

That's insane!

[@hilltopvt]

Started slow, then just floated by everyone

[@haplessasshole9615]

That should have clued Sham's owners and trainers into the fact that Secretariat was going to blow past him and keep pulling away until the end. And poor Sham ended dead last, probably worn to a frazzle. Oopsie. Wrong call!

[@mjleger4555]

Horses often DO run their fastest at the end of the race! That's because the jockeys rate them, and then let them go and urge them on, in the home stretch! But "Big Red" rarely disappointed anyone, and he showed his superior anatomy, strength, long stride and heart that day in 1973 at Belmont! I remember crying with joy when the big 3-year-old won, and I also shed some tears when he passed away and the news hit the airwaves. I'll never forget Secretariat, he was just one in a million! RIP, Secretariat, (March 30, 1970 - October 4, 1989).

[@daves913]

The old saying, records are meant to be broken, this one will be the exception to the rule.

[@kwgrid]

Ron Turcotte said himself that that picture is him looking back at how far ahead Secretariat was. He said when he saw it, "I scared myself." He said that the horse had been running so smoothly that it didn't occur to him how fast he was going until he looked around and saw how far ahead he was then looked at the track clock.

[@glenmoore4791]

It was like secretariat‘s hooves never hit the ground it was as if he had wings and he was flying. If you know and you trust God and you believe in his miracles I believe at that moment in time that he had wings we just didn’t see them

[@spjr99]

@@glenmoore4791 i don't believe in God but whatever. I respect anyone's faith. But i will say as a biologist, secretariat was basically a once in a species organism. At least in terms of horses we have seen and raised. He sprinted an entire mile and a half raise and accelerated the entire race. Once he took the lead, he did not lose a single inch to a single horse in the race. As soon as he passed sham, one of the greatest horses ever, he never lost a, single inch gaining on every horse and improving his speed. Sham broke his leg trying to keep pace. Also, turcotte never used the whip. Secretariat ran the race himself

[@leahmiller37]

@@spjr99 It's your prerogative to believe or not believe in GOD. But that's what makes Him so special in that He doesn't force Himself on anybody; and believe me that faith as far as denominations (Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, etc.) are concerned has nothing to do with it except for that denomination only being credible if they believe and acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Son of GOD. Something to do with being of the right spirit; otherwise, this Church or denomination is false (1 John 4:1-10). Faith, in the true sense, has everything to do with believing that GOD is and that what He says He has done; will do for you (you as in anybody) if you choose to believe in Him; and believing the positive things He says about you will work for you if only you believe in Him (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Or did you not know where the concept of positive thinking came from except from the Bible? But who can explain the Sun, the Stars, the Moon, and mountains? Sure, stars are explained as gases if I remember correctly but there are so many things that can't be explained except by Scripture if that. It's sad that so much has been explained in error causing many to be confused to not believe. But I hope that you will change your mind someday soon. People who attended the 1973 Belmont Stakes witnessed a miracle before their eyes watching that horse run at a record time in a record length that has never been approached by any horse since then. Who can explain why Secretariat's heart was a little over twice the size of a regular horse's heart? He had an exceptional body build too which is why they called him the horse built by GOD. Well all horses were built by GOD. But this horse was built to show the glory of GOD by being exceptional with a human personality at that. His movie was really good and is still worth renting. A feature called Heart of a Champion explains the greatness of this horse to prove that only GOD could have made this horse to show His glory. There are just going to be things that cannot be explained by human rational or science where the only logical reason is that there really is a GOD. I think Romans 1 (starting at the 16th or 18th verse, I believe) pretty much explains why many men refuse to acknowledge that GOD is as real as they are. But who can explain the whole scenario of the Nile turning to blood; the locust & frogs; and the first-born of the Israelites living versus the Egyptians dying when the Israelites left Egypt? Nor can anyone explain what really happened when Jesus Christ gave up his spirit when he died on the cross (earthquakes, graves opening up, etc., which you will have to read about in Scripture to know this actually happened too when Jesus died on the cross) let alone GOD raising him from the dead? There's just too much that man can't explain away to not believe there is a GOD. But once again, GOD doesn't need anyone's validation to prove He is real; time will take care of that soon enough. But I hope you will change your mind and research the Bible for yourself asking GOD to help you understand it as James 1 tells us to do when we want to understand the Bible. Someone says the Bible is Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (BIBLE). Isn't that a cunning acronym whether true or not? But thank GOD that He is a loving, merciful, and forgiving GOD that wishes that not anyone should perish and this is why He gave us Jesus (2 Peter 3:9). Jesus was ultimately sacrificed for our sins to make us worthy of forgiveness for all sin we have and could do as propitiation (Romans 3:5 & 1 John 2:2). But know that when Jesus comes back to judge, it will be too late to change your mind about any of this. But right now, you have got a gazillion chances to change your mind to get it right before Jesus Christ comes back to judge the Earth.

[@Bender13]

As we all know now, when an autopsy was done after his death they found he had a heart almost twice the size of a normal horse giving him his great stamina and allowing him to continue to accelerate through the race. A medical anomaly that we may never see again.

[@chadh.johnson3550]

@@leahmiller37 You say God is a loving, merciful and forgiving God but if you break any of his rules you're going to burn in Hell for eternity. Also, if you don't have a pedophile in a dress sprinkle water on your babies head and it dies, it's not getting into heaven either. Sounds more like Gods vengeful, spiteful and a bit childish. Btw the first commandment says you shall have no other Gods before me. Isn't that a tacit admission from God that there are other Gods. He doesn't need validation yet insists I constantly tell him how much I love him and give him 10% of my money. He seems more like a insecure teenage girlfriend.

[@marylamanna3325]

Secretariat has been gone a long time but I sill love this HERO…RIP Big Red.

[@barbaralovenvirth8726]

You can compare Secretariat to any previous horse or current horse..the records say it all....he is the WINNER!

[@David-jl6hr]

The greatest race horse ever, secretariat.

[@themergen1]

A 31 length win at 2:24:00 is a world record FOREVER.

[@indigoblue6766]

A Tremendous Machine.

[@lhansel7584]

"He's all alone."

[@indigoblue6766]

@@lhansel7584 I remember that line.

[@janiyawest7023]

Secretariat still holds the record for all three races in the Triple Crown, almost 50yrs ago. until those records fall, Secretariat will be considered the greatest race horse who ever lived.

[@leecowell8165]

that record in the Belmont will still be here after everybody alive today is in the ground.

[@joaoborges7838]

Yes, 2:24 at Belmont, will not be beat!

[@joaoborges7838]

Maybe, just maybe, if two secretariats come to exist, and Race each other.

[@roberthudson1959]

Why penalize Man o' War for not entering the Kentucky Derby? Winning is the goal of all racers. Man o' War won 20 of 21 races, and Secretariat won 16 of 21.

[@janiyawest7023]

Next year 2023 will be the 50 year anniversary of Secretariat's Triple Crown win. Secretariat still holds the record for all three races. How many records have stood for half a century?

[@nancytestani1470]

Gives me goosebumps.

[@moniquefleming3738]

I was in high school in New York during this race. I remember the excitement, screaming, cheering, absolute shock and awe when Secrateriat took that massive lead so effortlessly. It was, and always will be, a day to remember.

[@laurenurban3942]

It was all over the Long Island Newsday and New York Daily News centerfold……Secretariat all day long.

[@Isolvedit]

This is the best presentation honoring greatness. Watch it often, and let it inspire you like it has for me. I can go on to say that his mother, "Something Royal" had eighteen foals. But on that day in 1973 when America was suffering from a political scandal, God blessed this magnificent animal to do the impossible. And he lifted us up.

[@apointtomake1517]

Secretariat was a freak of nature. Built more like a sprinter than a marathon runner his muscular frame required massive amounts of oxygen to power them, and looking at his massive rib cage protecting those massive two lungs you can see how perfect he was for speed and power.

[@markhildebrand2417]

I wonder what kind of "runner's high" Secretariat experienced? It had to be off the charts. Just think, all Turcotte did during the Belmont Stakes was hold on. He never asked the horse to run nor did he ever use the whip. Secretariat just wanted to RUN! Secretariat will still hold the Belmont Stakes record when all of us are gone. The closest any horse has come is 2:26. That's 2 full seconds slower than Secretariat's 2:24 and it's been the record for 48 years!!

[@fishinwidow35]

no whip in the Belmont or Preakness but he did in the Derby.

[@vaughancavan]

ya that 2 seconds is equal to 10 lengths

[@annbolyn4910]

Secretariat's holding it at 50 years this past June, 2022, Mark. When he went into the starters' gate that day in 1973, he was thinking "you ain't seen nothing yet", and he raced into immortal history with jet propelled wings on his feet. We'll never see another like him. I loved him. He inspires me to be a better person..

[@laurenurban3942]

Lucien Lauren had Secretariat in peak condition for all three races. He did a fantastic job….and he had confidence on his side as he won the year before with Riva Ridge. So, he knew if the colt was in condition to go a mile and a quarter….but would he cross the finish line first was the big question.

[@janssen9863]

Secretariat winning the Belmont stakes is the most magical moments in sports ever!

[@denisecase807]

Janssen...Your statement is so true. Just a great athlete, who happened to be a horse. No ego or sense of entitlement. Just a competitor, competing for the love of it. I will never forget The Belmont Stakes, and the greatest race call I've ever heard. "He's moving like a tremendous machine!" Turcotte was, in his words, just along for the ride.

[@larrylindgren9484]

Another comes to mind. "Do you believe in miracles, yes!" That's a pretty big moment as well.

[@spjr99]

I agree. But also watch his Preakness win 1973. He goes from first to last in 20 seconds, on the outside. At least 15 lengths gained on every horse. Insanity

[@denisecase807]

@@spjr99 Every Triple Crown race from 1973. The Derby, where he ran every quarter mile faster than the previous one. No horse will ever break the records he set.

[@jaypee7632]

I watched it on TV live!!! It was a great moment!!! It had been 25 years since a triple crown winner at that time so that was significant. And America was still buzzing from walking on the moon. Vietnam was winding down. We were moving along nicely in big cars and cheap gas.

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

Sham, a horse with a heart twice the size of a normal heart, would easily have been a triple crown winner up against any other horse. Unfortunately for Sham, Secretariat was the most extraordinary horse of all time.

[@lynnhoffmann247]

Secretariat also had a larger than normal heart size. ❤️👍🏼

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

@@lynnhoffmann247 2.5 times the normal size

[@g.hon.4645]

Red gets that distinction mainly bcs tv was there to document it all. I love him. Always will. But he makes in comparison to Man O' War, a horse who at times could get away so fast out on the track in the AM & became nearly impossible to stop that his connections NEVER allowed him to be fully extended in a race. They never really found out how fast he really was. Red, on the other hand, was fully extended on Belmont Day. It was a great day & a great race & I saw it all. But I'm pretty sure Man 'O War could've dusted him. Now, if you want to talk EQUAL great horses, I say not to forget the mighty Alysheba, who I watched go off in the Breeders Cup Classic & fall to his knees coming out of the gate only to regain his stride & win the whole shooting match coming down the stretch $ Churchill. There was also the amazing Lost Code, who sometimes moved so fast in his morning works that you literally couldn't hear his hooves hitting the track. Neither of these animals ever got to reach their potential as sires bcs their connections just were not fashionable In the thoroughbred biz. But if you seek the truly great, the true Hand of God, look no farther than Ruffian. A monster. An amazon. She came to Belmont as a 2 y/o & no one could believe it. Dimensionally superior to both Man 'O War & Secretariat. Went out for her first AM work & broke the track record. Barefoot( Whitely didn't believe in shoeing babies until the very last moment). This was during the time Secretariat was actually winding down his careet so people tended not to notice her. That is, until she began equalling or bettering his fractions in races. And she did it all so easily it spooked the clockers. I can honestly say I have seen the best. It was unquestionably that filly. That was obviously one of those times when God reaches down & says "YOU'RE the one...".

[@brucerobbins6528]

@@lynnhoffmann247 Besides a heart, it also take good, large lungs to run a race. The lungs do the breathing.

[@bradleyboyer9979]

@@brucerobbins6528 Wow, thanks. Never would've known. ;)

[@williammoseley17]

Watched every race that year as an 11 years old. Was simply the best there ever was.

[@margaretjiantonio939]

There was only ones Secretariat. He's the greatest horse I've ever seen. I saw Belmont & I still can't believe how fast he was going. Thirty one lengths is unbelievable.

[@spjr99]

Watch Preakness 1973 first turn. He gains at least 15 lengths on all the horses in 20 seconds. Last to first.

[@dianemurray6550]

And he was still accelerating! Without another horse in sight, he ran that race just to show what he could do. Still inspiring!

[@samuelwilliams6313]

Do you remember when nag said that he's going to damn fast he's going to kill a horse and here's the thing today ron can't control Secretariat that day .that was Secretariat's doing in the Belmont in 1973, I was only three years old at that time people and I still read the books about him and man'o war.

[@samuelwilliams6313]

@@spjr99 I rate him behind Manowar who only lost one race

[@vikkihall-webster7598]

Man O'War won The Lawrence Realization by 100 lengths (nearly an 1/8 of a mile) on Sept. 1920

[@np100]

I bought the movie "Secretariat" after I saw a KZbin video. Penny Chenery and this horse were, and still are, inspirational. RIP both of you. You changed many lives for the better.

[@laurenurban3942]

The movie actually is inaccurate and silly.

[@RissaFirecat]

⁠@@laurenurban3942And who cares? Secretariat was the most amazing horse anyone had ever seen. The Belmont was the fastest horse race that anyone will ever see

[@sergeantmasson3669]

'73 Belmont race, Secretariat made up his own mind that he'd had enough of Sham's crap, and he had every intention of humiliating Sham right from the starting gate.

[@rugger104]

He beat Sham by 45 lengths in the Belmont

[@joinjen3854]

Sham got a hairline fracture in the Belmont, and never raced again. ​@@rugger104

[@janetgallo5720]

Not just Belmont, he still holds a track record for the derby and the Preakness. They haven’t been broken either.

[@CrankyGrandma]

I saw it. My sister, my mom, and I were astonished. We’d watched the triple crown each year and we’d never seen anything like this.

[@kennedycormick2775]

Thankyou Secriatariat...it helped our country's spirit...

[@taxisteve929]

I was at the track that day. It was an amazing feeling. As far as any individual race, I don’t think any horse in history could have beaten secretariat that day. He was just that far better than even secretariat normally is.

[@TimesUp777]

You are one lucky man

[@larrydominguez7913]

@@TimesUp777 amen to that!

[@annewhitehurst3626]

Most amazing race, as Penny said he ran his race that day. No other horse could have beaten him.❤️

[@Scorpio-19]

Still get chill bumps watching this

[@rhythmandblues_alibi]

Big Red. A true legend 💜

[@johnwilliams4541]

I was a kid when this happened. I was not into horse racing. Did love horses and rode every chance I got but my sister loved it and was a huge Secretariat fan. After watching it once I had to keep watching this great horse. I was amazed it's if you could hear Secretariat think when other horses were close that okay I've had enough of this and blew away from them. Greatest of all time

[@Senerian]

The best among all athletes and among all sports. All his triple crown records/times stand to this day.

[@mjleger4555]

Yes they do, and somehow, I doubt they'll ever be bested! Secretariat was that special!

[@internetpeople6113]

I remember watching this in my room by myself. It was greatest athletic feat of all time and the greatness grows each year.

[@johnberger5539]

Jack Nicklaus was watching the race by himself and he allegedly cried when Secretariat won the Belmont. His friend and horse racing afficionado, Heywood Hale Broun, commented to Jack: "Don't you understand, in all of your life, you were always striving for perfection; at the end of the Belmont, you saw it!" 49 years later and Secretariat still holds all 3 track records in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. SIMPLY AMAZING!

[@mjleger4555]

As an adult, I never missed the Triple Crown. I would get things ready that Saturday, so I wouldn't have to do anything but watch. I'd watch all the preliminaries, and just before the race post time, I would mix a bourbon and soda for the Kentucky Derby, and watch the horses parade to the gate and pick my horse. I'd watch the Preakness and Belmont Stakes with a scotch and soda, the same routine. I was very excited about Secretariat in 1973 because, of course, I had been following him the other 2 races so was hoping beyond hope that he would win the Triple Crown, and he did! I'll never forget that special day. RIP, SECRETARIAT -- March 30, 1979 to October 4, 1989. Bravo Zulu, Big Red!

[@gallop-ux7nh]

Simply the Greatest. We may never see his equal.

[@veramae4098]

"The Black Stallion" by Walter Farley is one of my all time favorite books. I always wondered though where he got the idea of a match race, until after Secretariat I started doing some mild horse research. War Admiral vs. Seabiscuit, of course. Let me see, Secretariat vs. The Black Stallion? Oh, the Black, of course. 😁😘

[@paulreilly3904]

Hi Rob, I'm no expert, but given such a huge winning margin, was there any suggestion that Secretariat was on performance enhancing drugs, at the time? I'm not intending to impugne his memory, I'm just curious. Many thanks.

[@robertnoble6600]

@@paulreilly3904 Lol. Please get a life. Shame on you.

[@febennett3]

Not the greatest race horse ever, but definitely the greatest triple crown horse.

[@glenmoore4791]

God gave him that Great Big HEART to accomplish all the things that he set out to do I believe that there will never be another horse to do and break the records that secretariat did at least not in our lifetime we’ll never see it

[@MLeibs]

Secretariat is the GOAT 👍🏼

[@bradcallaghan8099]

I was only 8 years old when I watched this race and remember it vividly to this day. Secretariat is not a "once in a lifetime horse". More like a Once in a Millenia. To beat the best in the world by 31 lengths is incomparable.

[@SuperCharcoalangel]

Having a giant heart tends to give you a lot more stamina. His stride was insane too. Poor Sham tried his best

[@George-qw8ss]

Sham was do wore out he finished last

[@davidnabess8494]

Secretariat is the standard of greatness. Will we ever witness another like him.

[@josephcosta3676]

Sorry to see that flightline was also retired so early. To me he's the closest thing to watching the goat secretariat .

[@wecandobetter9821]

Ok it’s hard to argue about his victory in the Belmont but go back and watch his acceleration in the first turn in the Preakness. He just blew by the best race horses in the world like he was in overdrive and they stuck in 2nd gear. As a previous horse owner who witnessed that race it was the most impressive thing I’ve ever seen in horse racing.

[@leecowell8165]

I have to agree with you. That was absolutely incredible to have that kind of acceleration! I mean you HAD to know what was under-the-hood when you saw that! I mean these are the fastest horses in the world!

[@Red-bn4zi]

Agreed, when Ron was sitting up there and felt secretariat unlease all that power, he had to be think, unbelievable He knew what was coming next if he stayed healthy for Belmont. Simply the Best that's ever been and likely ever gonna be.

[@hellolove1576]

I agree also it look like he went 6 wide then came back in and turn the afterburners on

[@Sobolady89]

Most horses have their head and hooves buried. They not only buried Secretariat's full body, but he's buried in a custom made coffin and his resting place was reserved next to his father, Bold Ruler. Both Seattle Slew and American Pharoah were related to Secretariat. The longer Secretariat ran, the faster he got. I was at the 73 Preakness, but missed the race because I went for the in-field party.

[@cathybrown8334]

Greatest athlete of my life.

[@ArtbyL763]

There’s a clip that shows the horses before getting into the gate. Sham looks energized and Secretariat looks so very calm. As if he already knew he was going to win

[@kennethdias9988]

The Belmont time will never be equaled. Secretariat’s time 2:24 a full 2 seconds faster than the next best. That’s 12 lengths, more than 2 is a blowout

[@kegginstructure]

I remember being able to count to 5 seconds (certainly not an "official" time) before the next horse crossed the finish line behind Secretariat. The commentators said they called it at 22 lengths but that it could have been more. I believe this qualifies as "blowout." In more modern parlance, he "nuked" the field. Sham had to have been the unluckiest horse in the world to be born in a year when he would be compared head-to-head against Secretariat.

[@richardmourdock2719]

This is so beautiful to watch again and again. As mentioned Sham finished second in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness and some thought he'd have the advantage in the longer race, the Belmont. I swear, about 3/4 of the way through this race, Sham saw Secretariat disappearing and just said "well, f** it." Sham just plain quit to finish dead last, but who can blame him. Not mentioned among the awards here, Secretariat was Sport's Illustrated "Man of the Year" in 1973. Nobody, absolutely, nobody protested the award to the greatest horse ever.

[@i.marchand4655]

Sham was a damn fine horse, but I believe Secretariat broke his heart in the Belmont.

[@joemacinnis1972]

A record that may stand forever! Will stand forever

[@laurenurban3942]

It WILL stand forever. They breed Shetland ponies today that can barely make 5 or 6 starts. Here aren’t race horses today. I don’t know what they are.

[@dclark142002]

What always stood out for me about Secretariat's Belmont run is how illogical it is. If you have done any racing over certain distances, you know that most athletes win by either having a better kick or sprint, or by being able to output more power throughout the race. USUALLY, the sprinter wins, because there is an advantage to drafting and then using the kick to win the race at the end. Power racers try to beat this by going out hard and trying to kill the sprinters early, then holding on to win by the virtue of that initial power output. Secretariat won the Derby with a great sprint kick. He won the Preakness with an impressive mid-race surge and easily held off the kick of Sham by out-kicking it. ...and then we come to the Belmont. By this time everyone knows that only Sham or Secretariat have chance...so almost no one enters the race. And in this race, Secretariat goes early to the lead and tries to kill off the chance of any sprint. Sham MATCHES him...catches and stays with him. Which is an impressive feat, considering what Secretariat did to Sham in the first two races. But halfway through the race...you see Sham bog down. Because Secretariat JUST KEEPS GOING. This is the illogical part. Secretariat doesn't just 'hold on'...he maintains and even increases the obscene first quarter pace all the way through and just keeps going faster. That's just not what you see every day in a race. Not only that, but with the race pretty much dusted...he doesn't slow down. This isn't just an 'easy win'...this is a STATEMENT. I love the radio call and the reaction in the stands. Turcott can't believe it. He is looking around in disbelief, not even trying to urge the horse on. The radio announcer is talking about distances, not in terms of lengths, but in terms of MILES. 'Secretariat is almost a sixteenth of a MILE in front of the other horses!' And then, the roar of the crowd. Thousands of people just giving a standing ovation to a performance that was so impressive that all they could do was cheer it on. Some people say its a boring race...and it is...but to those of us who know distance racing...its so special because its so rare.

[@kimberlytyrcha5930]

Secretariat's Belmont win should have come in at number 1, ahead of Wilt Chamberlain's 100 point game. It also should have ranked higher than 13 in greatest sports moments. What he did at the Belmont was simply astounding! There is just nothing in sports that compares to it.

[@DeedsResearcher]

In road races we have what are called "negative splits", where the second half of the race is run faster than the first half (by ANY runner). In this case, Big Red ran 5 negative splits, with each quarter mile faster than each of the previous quarter miles. THAT is a truly incredible accomplishment for the ages.

[@lired70]

There will never be another Secretariat! Let us not forget that his jockey extraordinaire Ron Turcotte worked with Secretariat,as he did with other race horses to get the best out of them,humanely, no whip! As far as breeding is concerned,no he didn't duplicate himself! However, he produced some amazing daughters and his son Risen Star won the 1988 Preakness and he won the Belmont by 15 lengths. He did not run the derby. I believe he injured his leg and needed the time to heal. He was very underrated. I believe that true greatness comes around once in a lifetime. I feel blessed to have witnessed the greatest equine athlete to date. Secretariat truly is the GOAT!

[@jm1657]

Risen Star did run in the Kentucky Derby, finishing a respectable 3rd.

[@earlegavin5931]

A beautiful gift from the God's. As someone else commented. 100% agree,thanks big red.

[@johnwalsh3215]

To put it as simply as possible…”the best”

[@johnforeman634]

Ron is the only living member of that entire crew.

[@tiffanyl4829]

No, he's pretty much the greatest racehorse in history. Not hard to prove when you look at his performances and ability to capture the hearts of everyone who saw him.

[@sparkywatts3072]

The most exciting race in the history of races!

[@tektoniks_architects]

Impossible to prove? Track records at all three majors still standing 50+ years later. Proven.

[@rivaridge7211]

The lovely and gracious Penny Chenery came very close to having two back-to-back Triple Crown winners. In 1972, her beloved "Riva Ridge" (Secretariat's stable-mate/"older brother," at Meadow Stable) won the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. Unfortunately, Riva Ridge was faced with a wet/sloppy track (which he hated) at the Preakness Stakes (which comes between the Derby and the Belmont) and could only manage a fourth place showing. Miss Penny (as many called her) always credited Riva Ridge for not only "saving the farm," (which was facing bankruptcy in 1972) but also, for bank-rolling Secretariat's incredible romp to a Triple Crown win in 1973.

[@larrysluss737]

I’ve watched that race literally hundreds of times, and I tear up every time… athletic perfection!

[@renehouse2015]

Secretariat was the greatest athlete in the history of sports.

[@richardmorris7063]

I was 16 when big Red won.He actually exceeded expectations & that's saying something. The second race in the series I think it was Pimlico & Secretariat was last,when he went for the lead I've never seen a horse out excellerate the field so badly.

[@mjleger4555]

I was thrilled beyond expectation when I watched "Big Red" win the Triple Crown in 1973, and I still get butterflies in my stomach watching the video now! What a magnificent champion Secretariat was, superior in anatomy, strength, stride and in heart, and he showed it every time he ran! I watched him shave off a little bit of time in "the fastest two minutes in sports" at the Kentucky Derby, with his time of 1:59:2.5 and he never looked back that year, going on to win the Triple Crown. What a magnificent specimen of horse he was; he'll never be forgotten! RIP, SECRETARIAT -- March 30, 1970 to October 4, 1989.

[@krazy8chris670]

Who knows what he would’ve accomplished if he raced as a four-year-old I think he was just beginning his greatness at the end of his three-year old career too bad he had to be syndicated

[@allanritz5323]

Penny Chenery's father passed away in 1972 and the IRS estate tax bill was so high, that it was either syndicate Secretariat or sell the farm. Had he lived, Secretariat would probably raced at four years old and re-written most racing records. It has been said he was better on the turf than dirt. I was at Woodbine for his last race. Still have the mutuel ticket, racing form, newspaper clippings from that day.

[@theressamurphy2996]

I read that Secretariat had a very large heart. He was certainly loved by those that handled him through his short life. My mother cried the day he was put down. Her father handled horses in Kentucky. He was a veterinarian.

[@susannewton4575]

Oooo I get chills when I watch this horse. Oh gosh he was beautiful. A true legend.

[@scottrackley4457]

Big Red holds all triple crown track records, 50 years down the line. He was the best horse of all time. When they beat his records, then I will reconsider.

[@bonniekeough244]

Always makes me cry, so exciting.

[@laurenurban3942]

This world record WILL stand forever. They can’t breed them like this anymore.

[@jeanday9747]

Ronnie didn't even have to use the whip. Secretariat will still be the greatest horse of all time. G.O.A.T. RIP Big Red.

[@dianemurray6550]

That performance at the Belmont is every bit as breathtaking now as it was when I watched it live at age 9.

[@badgerstate3451]

I was 9 also. I watched my Dad with tears streaming down his face as Big Red rounded the last turn.

[@makesmecrazy6572]

I'm glad I was alive to watch him race.

[@bradleyrhodes2820]

The movie was really good. They did a great job with the story.

[@nothgiel84]

No horse alive or dead could have beaten Secretariat tht day or year..he was just too great...all other winners were great but..Secretariat was out of this world

[@iancalleja3898]

Wow Secretariat just to good and i love his name thanks for the video .

[@Law-Enduring-Citizen]

A tremendous machine

[@tomdaniel438]

He had personality

[@markhildebrand2417]

Honestly I believe Sham came along at the same time was part of the unknown plan of fate. I'm not sure Secretariat would have broken the Kentucky Derby record without Sham's competition. Sham wasn't easy to overtake and Turcotte had to use the whip a little. But that shouldn't take anything away from Secretariat's run. Secretariat was special. Seth Hancock of Claiborne Farms who has been around racing all his life said he's never even seen a horse who could warm Secretariat up and he's seen a lot of good ones.

[@lovesbriardi]

Thanks for sharing. As usual, it brings goosebumps and tears over this magical horse. I have always felt sorry for Sham and didn't know till recently that he broke a leg bone in the Belmont.

[@cmeflywva]

Sham didn't break any bones in the Belmont. He broke a cannon bone on his right foreleg eleven days after the Belmont in training. They projected to be out for six months but he was retired in July of 1973. Source - New York Times

[@lovesbriardi]

@@cmeflywva Thanks for the correction. I obviously read an article that was incorrect, but you're the second person who mentioned the 11 days. Do you know how he broke it?

[@cmeflywva]

@@lovesbriardi In training at Belmont. I have a biography of Sham. Poor Sham was a good horse with almost respect. I think he would have been a TC winner that year.

[@Whoopdido777]

@@cmeflywva I feel bad for Sham. It was just impossible for him to stay with Secretariat. Turcotte said he never whipped Secretariat at all during any of the 3 races and I think if you watch closely you’ll see that’s true, but watch closely and you’ll see that Pincay is whipping Sham relentlessly throughout the entirety of every race and even up to the point when he had to be pulled back at the Belmont. Sham got beaten to death. In contrast, Turcotte hand rode Secretariat the whole time.

[@louchat333]

Secretariat was an amazing Broodmare Sire. Most of his famous winners came from the daughters he sired. Those colts were amazing…including Storm Cat, A.P. Indy, Gone West, Dehere and Chief's Crown. American Pharoah, the 2015 Triple Crown winner, is Secretariat's great-great-great-grandson.

[@mikemet1744]

An amazing athlete! I can watch those races over and over.

[@lizpadilla3292]

When I saw the fractions of the Belmont Stakes, I went holy crap but you see ron turcotte riding you knew it was going to be spectacular.

[@daviclar867]

That damn horse just loved to run! The jockey didn't need to say anything.

[@donnydoit7678]

Corporations don’t need motivational speakers, just show this short footage.

[@garthfriedberg5666]

That is one of my favorite photos. Great job.

[@maggiegarber246]

I grew up loving horses. I was born in 1948, the year Citation won all 3 races and I wanted so much to see a Triple Crown winner. For some reason, I didn’t watch any of the races in 1973. The next year, I was in a store in front of a TV when they were broadcasting the Belmont. They showed a rerun of the previous year. As I watched Secretariat’s run, I got goosebumps and said out loud to no one and yet to everyone “I have never seen a horse like that”.