Secretariat exhibit now running at Main Street Station

Just in time for the May 5 Kentucky Derby, The Meadow Event Park has installed an exhibit called “Salute to Secretariat—Virginia’s Triple Crown Legend” in the Main Street Station gallery.

“Main Street Station has given us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Secretariat’s incomparable Triple Crown of 1973,” said Leeanne Ladin, Secretariat tourism manager at The Meadow Event Park, site of his birthplace.

Ladin noted that Secretariat’s track records in the Triple Crown, which includes the Belmont, Derby and Preakness races, haven’t been broken in 45 years. He continues to influence racing today, as 17 of the 20 horses competing in the Derby have Secretariat in their pedigrees.

“All Virginians and visitors to the Virginia Welcome Center at the Main Street Station should know about our Virginia-born Secretariat, the greatest racehorse of all,” said Jeannie Welliver, who spearheaded the $92 million renovation of the historic train station. “We are so pleased to use our own historic venue to bring more attention to this immortal champion and his Virginia roots.”

The new exhibit traces the story of Secretariat from his early days at Meadow Stable to his Triple Crown win and how his legacy continues today. The centerpiece is a 610-pound aluminum horseshoe, a giant replica of Secretariat’s racing shoe. It held the official Guinness World Record for World’s Largest Horseshoe in 2015. A bronze statue of Secretariat ridden by jockey Ron Turcotte captures the magnificent horse in full stride. Framed photos—many signed by Secretariat’s owner, the late Penny Chenery—illustrate his racing career.

Visitors to the gallery can also learn more about The Meadow Event Park, which is home of the State Fair of Virginia, the Virginia Horse Festival and the Illuminate Light Show.

The “Salute to Secretariat” exhibit is free and open to the public. It will be on display through July. For more information on Secretariat Birthplace Tours and The Meadow Event Park, visit MeadowEventPark.com. For more information on Main Street Station, go to mainstreetstationrichmond.com.