They called him Big Red. A titan, a legend, a chestnut colt who ran with the force of a locomotive and the grace of a dancer. Most know the legend of Secretariat, the horse who shattered records and captured the heart of a nation. We know of his breathtaking 1973 Triple Crown victory, a feat untouched for 25 years. We know the astonishing images of him flying down the stretch at the Belmont Stakes, 31 lengths clear of any rival. But behind the legend, beyond the roar of the crowd and the flash of the cameras, lies a quieter, more profound narrative. This is the untold story of Secretariat, not just as a champion, but as the horse God built, and the incredible bond he shared with the man who knew him best.
This deeper story, brought to life in Lawrence Scanlan’s book “The Horse God Built,” shifts the spotlight from the owner’s box and the jockey’s saddle to the barn, to the hands that groomed and cared for this magnificent animal. It is a story of intuition, devotion, and the powerful, unspoken connection between human and horse.
The legendary racehorse Secretariat in full stride, capturing the power and majesty central to the horse God built, the untold story of his career.
Beyond the Legend: The People Behind the Power
A horse like Secretariat is not born in a vacuum. While his incredible genetics and physical gifts were undeniable, his journey to greatness was paved by a dedicated team who understood him not just as a racing machine, but as a living, breathing creature with a unique personality.
Penny Chenery: The First Lady of Racing
When her father’s health failed, Penny Chenery (then Tweedy) stepped in to manage the struggling Meadow Stable. In a male-dominated industry, she navigated the high-stakes world of breeding and racing with intelligence and grit. Her decisions, including a fateful coin toss that won her the unborn Secretariat, were pivotal. She was the public face of the Secretariat phenomenon, a poised and articulate owner who championed her horse with unwavering belief.
Lucien Laurin and Ron Turcotte: The Architect and the Artist
Trainer Lucien Laurin was the seasoned veteran, the architect who molded Secretariat’s raw power into focused brilliance. He managed the colt’s daily regimen, conditioning him for the grueling demands of the Triple Crown. In the saddle was jockey Ron Turcotte, a master of pace and position. Turcotte formed a symbiotic relationship with Secretariat, guiding his explosive energy with subtle cues and unshakable confidence. Their partnership was a perfect fusion of human strategy and equine athleticism.
Eddie “Shorty” Sweat: The Unsung Hero
The true heart of “the horse God built, the untold story of Secretariat” lies with a man few fans ever saw: his groom, Eddie Sweat. An African American man from South Carolina, Sweat was the horse’s constant companion, his protector, and his confidant. He was the first to see Secretariat in the morning and the last to check on him at night.
“Eddie Sweat understood the horse far better than anyone else. A wildly generous man who could read a horse with his eyes, he shared in little of the financial success or glamour of Secretariat’s wins on the track, but won the heart of Big Red with his soft words and relentless devotion.”
Sweat knew every nuance of Secretariat’s mood. He could tell by the flick of an ear or the look in his eye if the horse was happy, anxious, or feeling his best. Their bond was the invisible foundation upon which the legend was built. While the world saw the thunderous victories, it was Sweat who provided the quiet calm, the daily care, and the deep-seated love that allowed the champion to thrive.
A Feat of Unprecedented Dominance: The 1973 Triple Crown
The 1973 Triple Crown was not just a series of wins; it was a redefinition of what was possible on the racetrack.
Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes
At the Kentucky Derby, Secretariat did something unheard of: he ran each quarter-mile faster than the last, accelerating into the finish to set a track record of 1:59 ⅖ that still stands today. Two weeks later at the Preakness Stakes, he once again displayed his incredible power, breaking from last to first in a breathtaking move on the first turn and finishing with another record time.
The Belmont Stakes: A Run for the Ages
What happened on June 9, 1973, at Belmont Park transcends sport. It is the stuff of myth. In the longest and most grueling of the Triple Crown races, Secretariat didn’t just win; he annihilated the competition. With every stride, the distance between him and his rival Sham grew, from one length to ten, then twenty.
CBS announcer Chic Anderson famously declared, “He is moving like a tremendous machine!” as Secretariat powered down the final stretch alone. He won by an unfathomable 31 lengths, his victory so absolute that the camera had to pan back to find the next horse. His time of 2:24 for the 1 ½ miles was a new world record, shattering the old one by more than two seconds. It was a perfect performance, a moment of pure, unadulterated greatness that left the world speechless.
The Anatomy of a Champion: What Made Secretariat Different?
Secretariat was not just well-trained; he was physically extraordinary. He stood 16.2 hands high, a massive, powerful horse with a nearly perfect conformation. His stride was enormous, measured at nearly 24 feet at full extension, allowing him to cover ground with devastating efficiency.
The most legendary part of his physical makeup was discovered only after his death. A necropsy revealed that Secretariat’s heart was enormous, weighing an estimated 22 pounds, more than twice the size of an average thoroughbred’s heart. This tremendous engine pumped massive amounts of oxygenated blood to his muscles, giving him the boundless stamina and explosive speed that left his rivals struggling in his wake. He was, in a very literal sense, the horse God built.
The Legacy: More Than Just Records
Secretariat’s legacy is more than the records he set. He transcended racing to become a cultural icon, a symbol of excellence and hope during a tumultuous time in American history. But the untold story, the one centered on the quiet dignity of Eddie Sweat, reminds us that greatness is never achieved alone. It teaches us that behind every celebrated champion, there are unsung heroes whose dedication and love make the impossible possible.
The story of Secretariat is a testament to the profound bond that can exist between humans and animals. It’s a reminder that while trophies tarnish and records may one day fall, the impact of a deep and loving connection endures forever. This is the powerful truth at the core of the untold story of the horse God built.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the book “The Horse God Built” about?
“The Horse God Built: The Untold Story of Secretariat” by Lawrence Scanlan focuses on the incredible bond between the legendary racehorse Secretariat and his dedicated groom, Eddie Sweat. It tells the story of Secretariat’s success from the perspective of the man who cared for him daily, highlighting the importance of their connection.
Why is Secretariat considered the greatest racehorse of all time?
Secretariat is widely regarded as the greatest for several reasons. He won the 1973 Triple Crown, setting new records in all three races (Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes) that still stand today. His phenomenal 31-length victory at the Belmont is considered the most dominant performance in sports history.
What was so special about Secretariat’s Belmont Stakes win?
His victory in the Belmont Stakes was historic because of the sheer margin of victory—31 lengths—and the record-breaking time of 2:24 for the 1.5-mile race, which shattered the previous record. The performance demonstrated a level of stamina and speed that had never been seen before and has not been replicated since.
Who was Eddie Sweat?
Eddie “Shorty” Sweat was Secretariat’s groom and daily caretaker. He was responsible for feeding, grooming, and protecting the champion horse. The untold story of Secretariat largely revolves around Sweat’s intuitive understanding and deep, loving bond with the horse, which was crucial to his success and well-being.
Did Secretariat really have an abnormally large heart?
Yes. A necropsy performed after his death in 1989 revealed that Secretariat’s heart was perfectly healthy but exceptionally large, weighing an estimated 22 pounds. This is more than double the weight of an average thoroughbred’s heart and is considered a key source of his incredible stamina and racing ability.
