The legendary Secretariat made many a victorious trip across the finish line during his racing career. Tourists looking for an off-the-beaten-path day trip this fall can make tracks to his birthplace at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County.
The former Thoroughbred farm is the site of the popular “Hoofprints of History” tours. Participants can enjoy the experience of walking the same grounds where the great Triple Crown winner was born, raised and first trained. The tours, which are taking a brief hiatus during the State Fair of Virginia, are scheduled to continue into mid-November.
Leeanne Meadows Ladin, The Meadow’s Secretariat tourism manager and award-winning co-author of Secretariat’s Meadow – The Land, The Family, The Legend, conducts narrated walking tours and tram tours by appointment. She shares exclusive behind-the-scenes stories about Meadow Stable, the Chenery family who owned it, the farm’s famous mares and stallions and even the escapades of Secretariat as a young colt.
“Countless fans across the country consider Secretariat’s birthplace a national treasure, and we are very fortunate in Virginia to claim it as part of our heritage,” Ladin said. “Secretariat enthusiasts who didn’t get to visit during the summer can make the “Hoofprints of History” tour a day trip this fall. And if you love fall foliage, the old maples by the historic yearling barns blaze as red as Secretariat’s coat!”
While touring the grounds, visitors will see the original foaling shed where Secretariat was born on March 30, 1970; the yearling, stallion and training barns that were built in the 1930s; The Cove, where the Meadow mares and foals grazed; and the horse cemetery where early Meadow champions are buried. Inside the stately Meadow Hall are the Meadow Champions Galleries, the Museum of the Virginia Horse and a gift shop. Ladin is also available to sign books after the tour.
All tours are by reservation only. Tour times are typically 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesdaythrough Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday, except on major holidays. Availability depends on the schedule of other events at The Meadow. Tram tours can be arranged for groups of 15 or more. The average tour takes about 90 minutes. The cost is $10 per adult and $5 per child.
Tour information is available at MeadowEventPark.com andsecretariatsmeadow.com/info-
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