I was fortunate to attend a writer’s conference this past November with Inspired by Life… and Fiction’s own Tamera Alexander. While Tammy and I were talking about our upcoming releases (To Win Her Favor and A Love Like Ours) we realized that both books were scheduled to release at the same time and that both books feature Thoroughbred racehorses. Not just Thoroughbred racehorses, but horses whose lineage is tied to Secretariat! How cool is that?!
My modern day love story stars Silver Leaf, a horse descended from Secretariat. Tammy’s historical love story stars Bonnie Scotland, an ancestor of Secretariat. To celebrate this connection we’re currently running a horse-themed giveaway! Details on that at the end of the post….
Until then, a bit more about Secretariat who is widely considered to be one of the greatest if not the greatest American racehorse of all time.
He was born in 1970. His sire was Bold Ruler, a Hall of Fame horse in his own right.
A woman named Penny Chenery sent two of her mares to Bold Ruler and two foals (a colt and a filly) were the result. Penny and Bold Ruler’s owner agreed that they’d each keep one foal. They flipped a coin to determine which of them would receive first pick. Penny lost the coin toss which meant that Bold Ruler’s owner was given first choice.
He selected the filly. Thus, Penny received the chestnut colored colt with the white blaze and three white feet. Because of his coloring, the colt was given the nickname ‘Big Red’. At a year old he still didn’t have an official name. The secretary at Penny’s stable had submitted five potential names to the Jockey Club but they’d all been turned down. Her sixth submission was finally accepted.
The chestnut colt was named Secretariat.
When full grown he stood at 16’2 hands. Many fast stallions are extremely temperamental. Not Secretariat. His jockey, Ron Turcotte, said of him, “He was a pleasure to be around, from the first day I got on him to the last day I rode him. He was something else. And he never had a mean hair on him, never spooked from anything with me.”
In his very first race Secretariat finished fourth. But then he rebounded with a vengeance and reeled off five wins in a row.
In his three year old season, 1973, he won the Triple Crown.
In the last one hundred years only twelve horses have accomplished that feat. [Sir Barton, 1919. Gallant Fox, 1930. Omaha, 1935. War Admiral, 1937. Whirlaway, 1941. Count Fleet, 1943. Assault, 1946. Citation, 1948. Secretariat, 1973. Seattle Slew, 1977. Affirmed, 1978. American Pharoah, 2015] The most recent, American Pharoah, has Secretariat in his pedigree.
At this site you can watch side-by-side videos of Secretariat’s Triple Crown run and American Pharoah’s Triple Crown run. Very cool!
Not only did Secretariat win all three of the requisite races to achieve the Triple Crown, but to this day he still holds the record for the fastest Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes runs. He also holds the record for winning the Belmont by the greatest margin. 31 lengths!
“… when he accelerates … he produces a breathtaking explosion that leaves novices and hardened horsemen alike convinced that, for one of those moments that seldom occur in any sport, they have witnessed genuine greatness.” – Pete Axthelm, Newsweek.
Secretariat lost five races in his career. But after every loss he returned to the track to clinch first and set track records. Those that understand horse racing better than I theorize that Secretariat’s stunning success was due in part to two factors. 1) He had a tremendously big stride. He could stretch his fore legs and hind legs out at a very wide angle. 2) After his death in 1989 veterinarians discovered that his heart was more than two times the normal size for his breed.
His literal heart was big. But so was his figurative heart. Secretariat had the will to win.
For me, it’s a treat to see Secretariat ‘race into fiction’ through my novel and Tammy’s. If you’ve met Bonnie in Tammy’s book then it might be fun to meet Silver Leaf in mine. And if you’ve met Silver, then you’ll want to meet Bonnie!
On my facebook page, I’m giving away two copies of To Win Her Favor and two copies of the DVD movie Secretariat to two winners! Each winner will receive both the book and the movie. If you’d like to enter, simply visit to my facebook page and leave a comment on my post. It’s as easy as that! Then be sure to head to Tammy’s facebook page to leave a comment on her post to enter to win copies of A Love Like Ours. The giveaways will run through Sunday at midnight!
My question for you: Which horse (real or fictional) has most captured your imagination and affection?
Becky Wade
Latest posts by Becky Wade (see all)
- #LiftMyStack Challenge! - May 9, 2025
- Becky’s Favorites - April 27, 2025
- One Powerful Way to Help Authors… - April 25, 2025
I was 12 years old when Secretariat won the triple crown. Like most girls my age, I was horse crazy. To actually see those 3 races as they happened was a dream come true. Watching him win the Belmont by 31 lengths was the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life, even to this day. I will never forget it.
That must have been absolutely phenomenal, Tonya, to watch Secretariat’s Triple Crown races live as they unfolded. The stuff dreams are made of!
I love Secretariat’s story. And love that big heart! When I was a little girl, I adored horses. I never owned one, but I surrounded myself with them. Had horse posters on my wall, had horse figurines that were about a foot long that I would make yarn halters and bridles for. I had little koala bear figures with clasping arms that I could get to hook onto the horses’ plastic manes, so all my jockeys were from down under. 🙂 I read all the Black Stallion books and watched the movies, so I guess The Black would have to be my favorite fictional horse.
Fun connection with you and Tammy, Becky. Love it!
Another similarity between us, Karen! I was also a horse-crazy little girl. I never owned one either but that didn’t stop me from asking for a horse every Christmas.
I love the story of Secretariat. Also, recently I watched a movie called 50 to 1 where a horse named “Mind That Bird” won a race coming from the very back of the race and winning. It is an underdog story about the owners of the horse and the horse itself. The jockey was Calvin Borel. Great true story……
I saw 50 to 1! Did you see Seabiscuit? That’s another wonderful book and wonderful movie based on a phenomenal champion horse.
Yes, Seabiscuit was great too! I love horses even though I have never ridden.. I think they are beautiful. I am 55 years old….maybe I am not too old to get brave enough to try and learn to ride one of them one day. 🙂
I am fascinated with Secretariat. I watched him win the Triple Crown. He was an AMAZING horse. So many spiritual aspects are conveyed through him. Becky, it’s so interesting the connection that you and Tamera have in your books. I can’t wait to read them. Thank you for sharing this interesting post.
“So many spiritual aspects are conveyed through him” — I know what you mean, Caryl. I love that Secretariat wasn’t valued all that highly as a foal by Bold Ruler’s owner but that God knew his value. His rough first race was redeemed. And he faced setbacks but came through them victorious in the end. Inspiring!
How interesting! And fun that you both connected. Secretariat has become one of my all time favorite movies. A feel good movie for sure. After seeing it, my husband and I watched all three old races on youtube. Be sure to go watch them. Too fun.
I would have to tell you both that those two covers are winners, too and I am picky when it comes to covers. Love them both.
Thanks, Sandy! Isn’t it great that we can revisit old pieces of film on youtube. When I was researching Thoroughbred racing in preparation to write Silver Leaf I went to youtube and watched a fair amount of races there. Such a terrific resource! And I agree with you. Tammy and I lucked out with our covers this time around. 🙂
I really like Secretariat. Looking forward to both of these books.
Thanks, Nancy!
Woo-hoo! Horses!
Double woo-hoo! Racehorses!
The most spectacular race Secretariat ran (in my humble opinion) is the Preakness Stakes (second leg of the Triple Crown). When he made his move on the backstretch, he was like a cannon ball shot out of a cannon. I watch that race on tape and still get goose bumps!
The first race I ever saw on TV was the 1973 Marlborough, a race created for Secretariat and set up as a sort of match race between Secretariat and stablemate Riva Ridge (who won the Derby the year before). I was hooked at once!
So any book that features horses as a main character is of interest.
Any book that features the racing industry is doubly of interest. So I’m in!
I’m going to have to go back and watch the Preakness now! I really enjoyed your comments, Carrie Lynn. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts — one horse enthusiast to another.
Hi Becky and Tammy! I just finished “A Love Like Ours” and LOVED it! Of course. And I have “To Win Her Favor” on my TBR pile! My book “Irish Meadows” has a racehorse connection too! Irish Meadows is a horse breeding and training farm. And it releases on July 7th.
I loved how Lindy really connected with Silver Leaf and got him to run for her! And I love how nervous Jake was about her riding! So much fun!
Cheers,
Sue
So nice to see you here, Sue! I’m so happy to hear that you love A Love Like Ours. Thank you!
I have Irish Meadows right here on my bedside table, waiting to be read. I love that you set it at a horse farm. Best of luck with your new release. 🙂
I was (and still am) very horse crazy. I read Misty of Chincoteague and the Black Stallion books so much my copies began falling apart. When I was four years old, my parents took me to the Kentucky Horse Park. The next thing they knew, I was walking up to the Frisians pulling the Horse Drawn Tour and reaching out my hand to pet one, not caring that their hooves were as big as my head. While fictional horses like Misty and the Black captured my imagination when I was little, my own horses have my heart now. My current horse is a big, white mustang who thinks he’s Maximus from Tangled (he literally follows me around when I’m in his pasture).
I think it’s wonderful that your childhood love of horses has continued into adulthood and that you have horses of your own, Tricia! Your ‘Maximus’ sounds awesome.
Secretariat, the movie, was amazing! I’ve never watched a horse race but reading about him and seeing that movie makes me want to. Horses are such majestic creatures. Thank you for telling us so much information about Secretariat. I love knowing what’s fact after seeing a movie. It’s amazing that he was one of only twelve to win the triple crown. And now he’s left a bit of a legacy considering that American pharaoh has also win the triple crown this year. I will have to check your book out. 🙂 I recently got To Win Her Favor from the library and I can’t wait to read it.
I’m sure you’ll enjoy To Win Her Favor, Marisa! If you have an opportunity to read A Love Like Ours, I truly hope that you enjoy it.
Interestingvhistoryabout Secretariat. Beautiful horse. American Pharoah is also a beautiful horse. As for your question my answer would be Northern Dancer since I’m formally from Canada and lived near the house farm where Northern Dancer lived.
Northern Dancer was a stunningly gorgeous horse. How cool that you lived near his territory!
My sister and I always watched the horse races with anticipation for another triple crown winner. I was 6 the last time we had one so I don’t really remember him winning, but we were always hopeful! My daughters and I watched the Triple Crown races this year and were thrilled that American Pharaoh won! (They are 9 and 11 so they will always remember that!) I guess I would say the answer to the question is Black Beauty.
We were thrilled that American Pharoah won, too! We were on our feet here in the Wade house cheering him on. I couldn’t help but feel that we were witnessing history. It’s been so long since the last Triple Crown winner and might be just as long until the next one. Horses of that level of mastery are so very, very rare.
I adore Secretariat! The movie does it some justice, but going to Claiborne farm and seeing where he retired is something in itself! Fortunate to see it, and are still so excited that there is now a 12th triple crown winner after the drought between 1978 and now. Haven’t read these two books yet, but I will surely get them soon!
Like many others, I was horse crazy. I watched my first Kentucky Derby in 1970 (I was 11 and it was two days before the Kent State Massacre) on a department store TV. My dream from that moment was to see a Triple Crown winner, something that hadn’t happened since Citation in 1947. In 1973 I didn’t back Secretariat in the Derby, but when he finished in under 2 minutes and shattered the record, I became a believer. I remember what I wore when he won the Belmont and clinched the Triple Crown. The great Jack Nicklaus watched that 31 length victory alone in his living room and wept, one great athlete’s salute to another. I’ve now seen four Triple Crown winners, but none will ever take Secretariat’s place in my heart.
Being the child that ate slept and breathed horses and following that with almost 50 years as a professional horsewoman, there have been numerous horses that have taken my breath away. My original favorite was Man O’ War, whom I’m not so sure should be squeezed off his pedestal by Secretariat. In addition to his amazing racing career, Man O’ War produced many outstanding progeny. And then there was Snow Man, the famous jumper, who lived near bye. My current most favorite horse is my Mustang gelding, run in via BLM helicopter from the Granite Range in N. Nevada and adopted by my daughter and I. Among all the brilliant horses that I’ve owned, known and trained there has not been one as faithful or smart as Reno. I asked God to give him His best character for a horse, and He did. My favorite fictional horse is named Eskador, known in Brazil as Carbanados or Black Diamond.
Ahh, Becky, I failed to mention that I have adored all of your books and always look for more. You and Tamera are my favorite authors; both so gifted. . . Interesting that you both published books this year based on the topic dear to my heart. Thank you! It made me happy!