“Best Athlete of 21st Century”: Equestrian Fans Hail Kentucky Derby’s One of the Fastest Horses on 50th Anniversary

While the upcoming Kentucky Derby has thrilled equestrian fans, it has also made them nostalgic about past Derby events. Understanding this public sentiment, Kentucky Derby reminisced about one of its best race horses who graced the Churchill Downs arena around five decades ago.

The name of this horse was Secretariat, who competed in the 1973 Kentucky Derby and won the elite equestrian event on 5th May 1973. Apparently celebrating the 50th anniversary of this occurrence, the Kentucky Derby revealed a phenomenal example of the Secretariat’s massive popularity. Kentucky Derby disclosed how the Secretariat got featured in Time magazine. The thoroughbred got so popular that till today, other horses are compared more often with the 1973 Kentucky Derby winner. A movie on the story of Secretariat was also released in 2010. But why was Secretariat so special?

Secretariat makes a mark on the world with his exceptional performances

Debuting in his first race in New York in 1972, Secretariat secured the fourth position. However, in his second race in July 1972, he secured victory. This was the beginning of the Secretariat’s exceptional performances.

In 1973, Secretariat debuted as a 3-year-old horse on the Aqueduct racetrack. Galloping confidently, he also achieved a spectacular victory in this race held at Bayshore. Further, the star horse also won the Gotham Stakes, later defeating the fan-favourite horse Sham in the 1973 Kentucky Derby.

Post this, he also competed in the Preakness Stakes, ridden by Ron Turcotte. In this event, Secretariat managed to overtake Ecole Etage, who was leading in the race to secure an amazing victory. Afterwards, Secretariat also obtained a magnificent win in the Belmont Stakes held on 9th June 1973. Securing phenomenal success in these events made the thoroughbred immensely famous. This led to Secretariat being featured on the cover of the prestigious Time magazine.

Reacting to this incredible honor Secretariat received, fans shared amusing and entertaining responses.

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Elated fans’ amusing and heartwarming comments

A fan named Andrew Zimmel gave Secretariat a massive compliment.

Later, another fan gave Secretariat a special epithet.

Afterwards, another fan pointed out how Secretariat got featured in two other esteemed magazines along with Time magazine. More so, netizens called the 1973 Kentucky Derby winner the GOAT (Greatest of all Time).

Post this, a fan also re shared a quote of Ron Turcotte, the jockey who rode the Secretariat which sums up Secretariat’s abilities the best.

Afterwards, calling Secretariat “wonderful”, a fan also narrated an interesting anecdote about the horse.

Post this, a fan also called Secretariat a legend and shared an intriguing fact about Secretariat’s lineage.

Fans’ comments depict how Secretariat’s legacy will always be unforgettable for them. According to you, which horse competing in the 149th Kentucky Derby can match up to Secretariat’s fast speed and prowess? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

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