How wonderful it is that god made a breed of creature that from the very day it was born knew EXACTLY what it was put on this earth to do. When that lead comes off abd that horse reares back to take off you can just feel him say FINALY a couple hundred unupstructed yards!!! What I wouldn't give for one day with such a clear single purpose!
I listened to the '73 Belmont Stakes on the radio with my dad. A week later my mom gave birth to a red headed boy who grew big for his age. Surely Dad told my little Brother the stories of the greatest race horse ever, as they waited for him in Heaven. I bet they had a helluva ride.
I thought the same thing. Racing *can* be abusive, when horses are overraced, or overmedicated to hide pain and keep them in training. The discarding of retired or unsuccessful racehorses is often shameful. But racing itself is not inherently cruel. Young horses race each other spontaneously in the paddock. Horses, like dogs, have been selectively bred for millenia to enjoy working with humans.
This video shows why people who just don't understand thoroughbred racing believe it is cruel. These horses run just because that's what they love. There is nothing cruel about a horse loving to run.
As seen in this vid, there is no one on his back forcing him to run, he's doing it because that's what he loves.
not only all that, but he was mischievous and nosy I read. A magnificent perfection of a horse combined with a big playful kid. Don't you just love it.
Penny's father died in January 1973 and they had to pay estate taxes on the Meadow Stable. They could have borrowed the money fm the gov't or something like that Nack says in his bio, but the family decided to syndicate him to pay the taxes, $190,000 per share for total of $6,080,000. But In a BloodHorse Q&A Bill Nack expressed the opinion that it was a damn shame that syndicate owners didn't let him run as a 4 yr old, but money. It wld'ave done a lot for racing as well.
His front legs look like they're reaching ahead as though he were swimming, doing a breast stroke. In one instance he looks barrel chested and in another he looks very narrow chested. Remarkable agility.
I think they had to because that was the agreement they made with the people who put up money before the triple crown races. Usually thoroughbred racehorses make much more money after they are put out to stud than they do in the actual races.
Secretariat was just a WONDERFUL, AMAZING creature, who was beautiful & naturally charismatic; how could anyone help but fall in love with this extraordinary Champion?
I visited Claiborne Farms in August 1985 and saw Secretariat in this very same paddock. Being short at just over 5 feet, I stepped on the rail at the bottom of the fencing to see him better across the pasture, he turned, then ran right toward me! My heart was in my throat, I thought he wouldn't be able to stop, but he did right in front of me! A magnificant animal and today I treasure the pictures made of my visit with him 25 years ago.
Bless his big old heart. this is such a sweet happy video. i just love it and get a little tear for joy! such a blessing from heaven he was. the dandelion stuck in his mouth just cracks me up!!
amchalmers06 Says:
29/01/2013 2:48:34 AM
Dito, he really was touch by the Hand of God. Really. I loved loved and still LOVE him.
onlyhuman1954 Says:
8/01/2013 5:34:25 AM
What an exuberantly GORGEOUS animal....telling the world he was born to run run run!!!! Am truly lost for more words...'Immortal' indeed...xxxxxxx
Tara Hillebrand Says:
27/10/2012 10:02:08 AM
my mare looks just like him.... no joke. Shes not as fast though..Duh!
officialqueenkaitlin Says:
25/10/2012 5:02:13 PM
absolutely love him. God's perfect creature. he looked so happy.
dcj3831 Says:
22/10/2012 3:22:41 AM
How wonderful it is that god made a breed of creature that from the very day it was born knew EXACTLY what it was put on this earth to do. When that lead comes off abd that horse reares back to take off you can just feel him say FINALY a couple hundred unupstructed yards!!! What I wouldn't give for one day with such a clear single purpose!
knackness Says:
19/10/2012 3:51:55 PM
I listened to the '73 Belmont Stakes on the radio with my dad. A week later my mom gave birth to a red headed boy who grew big for his age.
Surely Dad told my little Brother the stories of the greatest race horse ever, as they waited for him in Heaven. I bet they had a helluva ride.
iymamum Says:
5/10/2012 9:07:09 PM
just love the way he sneaks a chew in on that flower he has while running..ha ha
marysueeasteregg Says:
28/07/2012 2:29:01 PM
I thought the same thing. Racing *can* be abusive, when horses are overraced, or overmedicated to hide pain and keep them in training. The discarding of retired or unsuccessful racehorses is often shameful. But racing itself is not inherently cruel. Young horses race each other spontaneously in the paddock. Horses, like dogs, have been selectively bred for millenia to enjoy working with humans.
gracie15jersey Says:
21/06/2012 11:02:12 AM
I could watch this forever! RIP Big Red! Brings tears to my eyes.....
EmotionalResQ Says:
14/06/2012 10:49:06 PM
This video shows why people who just don't understand thoroughbred racing believe it is cruel. These horses run just because that's what they love. There is nothing cruel about a horse loving to run.
As seen in this vid, there is no one on his back forcing him to run, he's doing it because that's what he loves.
shezalongtallsally Says:
3/06/2012 3:46:15 AM
so darn cute~he reminds me of a chunky cowpony!!
bon1042 Says:
8/05/2012 3:07:57 PM
not only all that, but he was mischievous and nosy I read. A magnificent perfection of a horse combined with a big playful kid. Don't you just love it.
bon1042 Says:
8/05/2012 3:06:30 PM
Penny's father died in January 1973 and they had to pay estate taxes on the Meadow Stable. They could have borrowed the money fm the gov't or something like that Nack says in his bio, but the family decided to syndicate him to pay the taxes, $190,000 per share for total of $6,080,000. But In a BloodHorse Q&A Bill Nack expressed the opinion that it was a damn shame that syndicate owners didn't let him run as a 4 yr old, but money. It wld'ave done a lot for racing as well.
Cynthia5314 Says:
4/05/2012 10:28:46 AM
His front legs look like they're reaching ahead as though he were swimming, doing a breast stroke. In one instance he looks barrel chested and in another he looks very narrow chested. Remarkable agility.
TakeBackAmerica2012 Says:
29/04/2012 9:42:01 AM
I think they had to because that was the agreement they made with the people who put up money before the triple crown races. Usually thoroughbred racehorses make much more money after they are put out to stud than they do in the actual races.
sergell71 Says:
11/04/2012 3:29:07 PM
Why restrict his "reign" to only a few years. He retired at 3 or 4 years? Humans... /sigh
nin12dog Says:
7/04/2012 3:17:57 PM
Secretariat was just a WONDERFUL, AMAZING creature, who was beautiful & naturally charismatic; how could anyone help but fall in love with this extraordinary Champion?
1970realtor Says:
7/04/2012 10:17:21 AM
I visited Claiborne Farms in August 1985 and saw Secretariat in this very same paddock. Being short at just over 5 feet, I stepped on the rail at the bottom of the fencing to see him better across the pasture, he turned, then ran right toward me! My heart was in my throat, I thought he wouldn't be able to stop, but he did right in front of me! A magnificant animal and today I treasure the pictures made of my visit with him 25 years ago.
shezalongtallsally Says:
27/03/2012 5:55:35 PM
Bless his big old heart. this is such a sweet happy video. i just love it and get a little tear for joy! such a blessing from heaven he was. the dandelion stuck in his mouth just cracks me up!!
xoSilentStarox Says:
11/03/2012 6:41:37 PM
That is too cute for words!! <33