Secretariat

... Secretariat fans already know the significance of Saturday, June 9, 1973. What happened at Belmont Park that day dominated the next morning's national headlines, even eclipsing coverage of Watergate and the Vietnam War.

In the Louisville Courier-Journal & Times, sports editor Dave Kindred wrote:

"Saving the best for last, Secretariat completed his sweep of the Triple Crown horse races yesterday with a stunning performance....

"A record-setter in the Kentucky Derby, electrifying winner of the Preakness, Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes yesterday by 31 lengths, a race record. He went the mile-and-a-half in two minutes, 24 seconds, also a record.

"The magnitude of the accomplishment was apparent, even to the rawest racing neophyte in the crowd of 69,138 that sent up a tidal wave of applause, the sound washing over Secretariat down the stretch....

"So commanding was Secretariat yesterday that his jockey, Ron Turcotte, could take time out from his chores down the stretch to study the race times being flashed on the infield tote board. Secretariat was nearly 25 lengths in front by then.

"'When I saw those fractions, I set him down for the first time,' Turcotte said, meaning that he urged the big, red c**t to run even faster. 'I knew we had a chance at the record. He had been fast but he still had more when I asked him.'

"The horse's owner, [Penny Chenery] said, 'It's a little bit greedy to win by 31 lengths, but that record is nice. I hope it'll stand for a while.'"

Fifty-three years later, the record still stands.

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Collectors: Today is the last day of our "Belmont Drop" featuring our limited inventory of original photography hand-signed by Turcotte prior to his passing last August. Signed photos are available only until 11 p.m. ET; see additional photos and learn more: https://www.secretariat.com/signature-availability/

"[C]ongratulations to Golden Tempo for doing what he had to do and getting the job done once again. And of course, congratulations to Cherie Devaux for... making the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes historic events.

"But what stood out most to me was the number of sensational races over a three-day period and a lineup of stars that included just about every brilliant horse in the country."

Read Steve Haskin's wrap-up of Belmont weekend 2026:
https://www.secretariat.com/belmont-stakes-weekend-and-its-unsung-hero/

Thoroughbred fans are familiar with this amazing Bob Coglianese/NYRA photo that captured Secretariat nearing the finish line of the 1973 Belmont Stakes, which he won by 31 lengths in front of an ecstatic crowd and national television audience. Not only did Secretariat earn horse racing's first Triple Crown in 25 years, but he shattered the world record for the mile-and-a-half distance on dirt. Fifty-three years later, his time of 2:24 is still unmatched.

We have a limited inventory of this photo signed by Ron Turcotte, Secretariat's Hall of Fame jockey, who passed last August at age 84.

Our "Belmont Drop" features this iconic image and other Belmont-related photographs that were hand-signed by Ron Turcotte. Learn more: https://www.secretariat.com/signature-availability/

Photographer Tony Leonard captured this sublime image in the paddock shortly before Secretariat’s history-making performance in the 1973 Belmont Stakes.

Our “Belmont Drop” features a limited inventory of this and other photos that jockey Ron Turcotte signed personally. Learn more: https://www.secretariat.com/signature-availability/

From our archives, check out the nearly impossible to find Secretariat Belmont Stakes Winner Pin produced by the New York Racing Association in 1973 to honor horse racing's newly anointed Triple Crown champion.

Also, our inventory of collectible 2023 Belmont Stakes Glasses sold out quickly last week, and we've restocked!

1973 Belmont Stakes Original Vintage Winner Pin: https://www.secretariat.com/store/archives/vintage-original-secretariat-pin-display/

2023 Commemorative Glass: https://www.secretariat.com/store/collectibles/2023-belmont-stakes-glass/