Secretariat Bronze Statue – The Legendary Triple Crown Champion
The Secretariat is a marvel and an epitome of perfection in the world of horses. The Secretariat bronze statue monument is crafted from high-quality bronze, and our artists possess the skill to recreate its unforgettable presence and appearance. He would continue to gallop through our lives and racecourses.
The Horse Behind the Sculpture:
Secretariat (1970–1989) is widely regarded as the greatest racehorse of all time. In 1973, he became the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years, setting record times in all three races—the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes—that still stand today.
His Belmont Stakes victory remains one of the most extraordinary moments in sports history: he won by an astonishing 31 lengths in a world-record time of 2:24 for 1½ miles on dirt. The performance was so dominant that veteran sportswriter Charles Hatton called it perfection: “I never saw perfection before. I absolutely could not fault him in any way.”
Nicknamed “Big Red” for his striking chestnut coat, Secretariat was foaled in Virginia at Meadow Stable and later stood at stud at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, where he was buried after his death in 1989. His legacy extends beyond racing—he was named the 35th greatest athlete of the 20th century by ESPN, the highest-ranking non-human on the list.
The Sculptures That Honor His Legacy:
Multiple bronze monuments have been created to honor Secretariat, each capturing a different moment of his remarkable life:
1. Kentucky Horse Park (Lexington, KY) – 1991
The original bronze statue, commissioned in 1988 and dedicated in June 1991, depicts Secretariat at age nine or ten, standing with his head turned slightly left. Created by sculptor Jocelyn Russell, it stands at the Kentucky Horse Park.
2. Keeneland Roundabout (Lexington, KY) – 2019
Russell’s larger-than-life bronze depicts Secretariat winning the 1973 Kentucky Derby, with jockey Ron Turcotte aboard. Weighing 3,800 pounds, it features a distinctive red patina to match his chestnut coat. The sculpture was unveiled at Keeneland in October 2019 and now stands at a traffic roundabout on Old Frankfort Pike.
3. Secretariat Park (Paris, KY) – 2023
A life-size bronze statue depicts Big Red at rest in his paddock at Claiborne Farm, based on a photo by equine photographer Tony Leonard. Dedicated on November 11, 2023—exactly 50 years after Secretariat arrived at Claiborne—this park also features a three-story mural of his Derby win.
4. “Secretariat Racing Into History” (Ashland, VA) – 2024
The largest Secretariat sculpture in existence is 21 feet long and 11.5 feet tall. This monument depicts him in his final Triple Crown race. Dedicated on March 30, 2024 (“Secretariat Day”), it is the only public monument to Secretariat in his home state of Virginia. The base contains sand from Meadow Stable, Churchill Downs, Pimlico, and Belmont—the sites of his greatest triumphs.
We Can Recreate This Iconic Sculpture for You
At YouFine, we specialize in casting museum-quality replicas of legendary sculptures like the Secretariat monument. Whether you need a life-size version for a racecourse, a smaller edition for a private garden, or a custom adaptation for an equestrian center, we can bring this historic piece to your space.
Our services include:
Any size – from 55″ compact pieces to monumental 11.5ft displays
Custom patina – red, bronze, gold, or antique finishes
1:1 clay model for your approval before casting
Traditional lost-wax casting with 43 years of craftsmanship
Global shipping with secure wooden crate packaging
Contact us today to discuss your custom bronze horse statue Secretariat replica and bring a piece of racing history into your space.
