DERBY WINNER · 1973

Secretariat: speed that still tells a story

The Derby record was only the beginning of a remarkable spring.

Faster with every quarter

Secretariat ran the 1973 Derby in 1:59⅖, beating Sham by 2½ lengths. Each successive quarter-mile was faster than the one before it, an extraordinary way to finish a classic race.

Beyond Churchill Downs

The chestnut followed the Derby with victories in the Preakness and Belmont. His Belmont margin was 31 lengths, with a time of 2:24 for a mile and a half. These are different races and distances; they should not be confused with his Derby record.

A team behind the legend

Penny Chenery led Meadow Stable, Lucien Laurin trained Secretariat, and Ron Turcotte rode him in the Triple Crown races. The horse’s success reflects a racing team as well as an exceptional athlete.

A champion before his Triple Crown

He earned Horse of the Year honors in 1972 as a two-year-old, then earned the award again in 1973. His reputation was already substantial before the Derby.

Keep history and provenance separate

A glass with a meaningful year can be a lovely reminder of racing history. Check the product description carefully: a commemorative design does not establish that a particular glass was used at a race or belonged to a historical figure.

Historical source: National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame ↗. Written November 6, 2026.