| In this article we're going to review the life and career | | | | alike convinced that, for one of those moments that |
| of one of the greatest horses in horse racing history, | | | | seldom occur in any sport, they have witnessed |
| Secretariat. | | | | genuine greatness." |
| If you were around in the early 70s, regardless of | | | | But the glowing words didn't end there. A columnist |
| whether you were into horse racing or not, you knew | | | | for the New York Post by the name of Larry |
| who Secretariat was. His name was plastered all | | | | Merchant, who went on to become known as the |
| over every newspaper in the world. There had | | | | HBO boxing analyst with the sharp tongue, said... |
| never been a horse like him before and will probably | | | | "Secretariat is the kind of Big Horse that makes grown |
| never be another one like him again. | | | | men weep, even when they are flint-hearted bettors, |
| In June of 1973 he came to the Belmont Stakes with | | | | even when he goes off at 1-10. He is the apparently |
| the chance to become the first triple crown winner in | | | | unflawed hunk of beauty and beast they search for |
| 25 years. Not only was he on the front page of | | | | doggedly in the racing charts every day, and never |
| every newspaper, but he was also on the cover of | | | | seemed to find. His supporters rhapsodize over him |
| Time, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated. This is | | | | as though he is a four-legged Nureyev, extolling virtues |
| something that had never happened before or since. | | | | of his musculature, his grace, his urine specimens. If |
| Writers from all over struggled to explain what it was | | | | he were to lose the Belmont the country may turn |
| about this horse that was so incredible. In a book | | | | sullen and mutinous." |
| written by Marvin Drager, called "The Most Glorious | | | | The media explosion over this horse was simply |
| Crown", the author gathered a number of clips from all | | | | unprecedented. Certainly, horse racing had never |
| round the country with words printed about this | | | | seen anything like it before. Even though nothing has |
| magnificent horse. Some of the comments were | | | | quite come close to the furore over this horse, the |
| one of a kind in themselves. For example, Time | | | | media did finally understand and recognize when |
| magazine writer, sports columnist Pete Axthelm, who | | | | something of this nature was to be looked out for. |
| never saw a horse race in his life said... | | | | That's why in 2003, when Funny Cide was about to |
| "Secretariat generates a crackling tension and | | | | make a bid for triple crown glory, the media came out |
| excitement wherever he goes. Even in the kind of | | | | in droves. |
| gray weather that shrouds lesser animals in anonymity, | | | | In no way are the stories of Secretariat and Funny |
| Secretariat's muscular build identifies him immediately; | | | | Cide alike. One was royalty and one was just an |
| his glowing reddish coat is a banner of health and | | | | everyday horse. But that's what makes headlines, |
| rippling power. Magnificent enough at rest ... when | | | | when an everyday horse can actually challenge |
| he accelerates ... he produces a breathtaking | | | | royalty. It certainly does make for great theater. |
| explosion that leaves novices and hardened horsemen | | | | |