Secretariat Still Breaking Records, This Time With Shoe Replica

Legendary Secretariat still inspires many, more than 40 years after his iconic Triple Crown victory. (Photo by HorsePhotos)
Edited press release
The champion Thoroughbred who still embodies many superlatives has inspired a once-in-a-generation attempt at a world record with one outrageously big good luck charm. On Sept. 20 at the Kentucky Derby Museum, a half-ton exact replica of a Secretariat shoe will be unveiled and quite possibly clinch the Guinness World Record for “World’s Largest Horseshoe” at a satellite event for the Secretariat Festival.
“This record-setting horseshoe is the perfect way to introduce the Bourbon County Secretariat Festival to Louisville, where we have so many wonderful fans,” said Mrs. Penny Chenery, Secretariat’s owner.
Secretariat’s win in the 1973 Belmont Stakes, an astounding 31 lengths ahead of his rivals, punctuated a record-breaking Triple Crown run with an enduring image of strength, speed and stamina. The enormous replica horseshoe will tangibly showcase his impact on history.
The mold for this super-sized piece came from a horseshoe in the Secretariat archives that the 1973 Triple Crown winner wore during his legendary career. Louisville-based Eagle Sign & Design Co. and Thoro’bred Inc., maker of the original Secretariat shoe, collaborated on the casting, adhering to Guinness standards, and Thoro’bred president Edwin Kinney offered a sizable donation of aircraft aluminum, the very same alloy used in the original shoe.
Fans are invited to the Kentucky Derby Museum for the horseshoe’s debut at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20, joining several members of the Secretariat team expected to attend, including Chenery, jockey Ron Turcotte and exercise rider Charlie Davis. Special VIP tickets for the event are available for $99, representing Secretariat’s win in the 99th running of the Kentucky Derby. The package will include a numbered, gold-edition commemorative horseshoe and a special certificate of authenticity signed by the team, the first opportunity to take photos of the proposed World’s Largest Horseshoe, and admission to all museum exhibits. A special excursion package is available from the Secretariat Festival to transport Lexington-based guests to the museum for the day. Tickets can be purchased at both Secretariat.com and  Derbymuseum.org. Guests who purchase general admission to the museum for Sept. 20 are also invited to attend this special event.
The horseshoe’s permanent home will be at the museum, but the exhibit, including a video component, is expected to travel to other venues around the nation during the summer of 2016.
“I like the thought of the families who may pose for a photo with the horseshoe and the fans who will travel to see it,” added Mrs. Chenery. “I hope the shoe inspires fond memories of Secretariat and creates new ones. It will be a playful touchstone to his lasting imprint on racing.”
The Secretariat Festival is an annual public civic event in Paris, Ky. that celebrates the legacy of the legendary Thoroughbred and the horse racing heritage of the Bluegrass. It returns in 2015 for its eighth season Sept. 18-20.