There’s a big bash planned for “Big Red,” and this year the Secretariat Birthday Celebration at The Meadow Event Park will feature a “family reunion” as well.
The March 29 Meadow Descendants Gathering will present Thoroughbreds that have Secretariat or other Meadow Stable champions in their pedigrees. Members of the original Secretariat team will be in the show ring to greet participants and pose for photos.
Owners who wish to participate in the gathering should check their horses’ pedigrees for names such as Riva Ridge, winner of the 1972 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes; First Landing, sire of Riva Ridge; Hill Prince, 1950 Horse of the Year; Sir Gaylord, sire of Epsom Derby winner Sir Ivor; Cicada, top money-winning filly of the 1960s; Somethingroyal, dam of Secretariat; and broodmares Imperatrice, Hildene and Iberia.
“This is a unique opportunity for owners to show off their horses and share the ring with those who were closest to Secretariat and other Meadow Stable champions,” said Leeanne Meadows Ladin, Secretariat tourism manager at The Meadow and co-author ofSecretariat’s Meadow – The Land, The Family, The Legend.
“The Meadow Descendants Gathering also will showcase retired racehorses who have found new homes and new careers off the track such as eventing, show jumping, dressage and other disciplines,” Ladin added.
The gathering is being presented by secretariat.com, the Retired Racehorse Project, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation at James River and the Secretariat tourism program at The Meadow. For information on how to enter, visitSecretariatsMeadow.com/event-
The annual Secretariat Birthday Celebration will take place March 27-29 at The Meadow as part of the new Virginia Horse Festival. Festival details are available at
VirginiaHorseFestival.com, and online ticket sales will begin Feb. 9.
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