Riding The Greatest Horse Of All! | Secretariat's Belmont Stakes And Triple Crown With Ron Turcotte
2023 ж. 6 Мау.
305 788 Рет қаралды
"𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣..."
We chatted with Big Red's jockey, Ron Turcotte, who gives his version of Secretariat's historical 31-length Belmont Stakes win and subsequent Triple Crown glory.
Do you remember this part of American racing history?
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Sorry to anyone who wants to debate this. Races are timed for a reason and Secretariat was hands down the greatest horse who ever lived. I don’t know how many times I’ve rewatched those three races, but I never get tired of it. Magic.
Time is actually dependent on way too many factors outside the control of the competitor to be a good comparison, it is simply the easiest option available. Man o War was far more consistent than Secretariat, and should not be penalized for his owner's decision not to enter the Kentucky Derby.
No argument from me. I completely agree.
Me too👏👏👏💜💜💜
I watched all the races with my Dad…what a memory💜💜
Let’s ignore the fact that, for some reason the tracks were perfect every time that roided thing set foot on those tracks. The fact that no one ever looked for steroids in that horse. No, he wasn’t the goat because a goat would actually pass on his genes to his sons and I’m sorry he didn’t
Ronnie paid a heavy price, but damn, he got to ride the greatest horse that ever lived.
THE BEST RIDE OF HIS LIFE. THE BELMONT.
Secretariat was God's horse. I'm sure that he whispered, gotta go, big red, time to fly, and he did. Every time I see him run the Belmont, it gives me shivers. I saw him win all three races, and tears were running down my face when I watched that last race.
Same here!
I still get chills and quiver with awe each time I watch Secretariat win....God's Horse is absolutely correct
Same here!!! Everytime…most amazing feat by any athlete horse or human ever.
I was watching this race in the common area of my dorm. Soon it was standing room only and the excitement was off the charts.
There’s the best and then there’s the rest …and Big Red was the best!
50 plus years later the GOAT still owns all the races best times. Simply staggering.
There will be other Triple Crown winners. It's going to happen again sometime. BUT, there will never be one as dominant and electrifying as Secretariat.
Chic Anderson's call is almost as legendary as the race itself.
It’s tremendous!
Chic Anderson's call of the race was as outstanding as Secretary's race itself!
"He's moving like a TREMENDOUS MACHINE!" So true.
All three races. It was as if he knew he was in the middle of an historic event.
@@bobblowhard8823gives me goosebumps EVERY TIME I watch the replay of the Belmont!
"He is moving like a tremendous machine" Gets me every time.
Oh god.Me too.I say it out loud and get choked up every time.
GOT DAMNIT SAY IT AGAIN........ BUT LOUDER NEXT TIME.
Never fails. 🥲
Secretariat's mile and a half time at Belmont is not just the Belmont record, but to this day is still the World's Record on dirt for the championship distance of one and a half miles.
and will be, forever
It was an incredible spectacle.
You never say never but in this case you would be close enough too
It was simply put “ a spiritual experience “!
It is interesting to know that Ronny decided to let Big Red have his head. So Secretariat ran for the fun of it and all Ronnie had to do was steer. No whip needed. Just a horse with wings on his hooves.
I don’t think he ever used a whip on Secretariat.
I don't think Ronnie had a choice. I think he could ask Big Red to do something, but sometimes horses don't agree. Not a lot of veto power when you're in the saddle.
@@cathiehutcheson6556 Correct. All Ronnie had to do was show Secretariat the whip and he understood that it was time to run. Eddie Sweat, the groomer, was closer to Secretariat than anybody ever was. Greatest racehorse ever that had the best team for him.
I am no authority on racehorses, but I believe Secretariat just loved to run. Don't know why, but he loved it.
Secretariat Best horse ever. Best race ever. A legend that will live forever.
He certainly was the best race horse, ever; but Mr Ed was the best horse, ever. He could talk, and do math, and give advise.
Thank you, Ron. You were the perfect jockey for the perfect horse.
51 years later and watching the ‘73 Belmont still gives me goosebumps, a lump in my throat, and a tear in my eye. It was the single greatest athletic feat I have ever witnessed. And STILL no horse has come within 2 seconds of Secretariat’s record.
The greatest athlete that ever lived. And the only animal in the top 100 greatest athletes of all time.
Top 35. There were a few other horses in the top 100, including his sire Bold Ruler, Man o. War, Ruffian and Citation.
He should be at the top of that list.
Number 39 on that list, if i remember correctly 😊 Pure Awesomeness and badassary
Secretariat was the GREATEST ATHLETE THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN. AND THE HANDSOMEST BY 31 LENGTHS. He was one BIG BEAUTIFUL BOY.
I believe that Ronnie is the only jockey to win 5 of the 6 triple crown races in a 2 year period (1972 - 1973)!! Truly incredible!
Correct. Riva Ridge in 1972 was also a Meadows Stables horse. So same jockey, trainer and owners for 5 out of 6 classic races in 2 years. Riva was Penny's horse, she always said Secretariat belonged to the world.
both named after the Stars..
This horse was like a diesel locomotive. I was 14 years old in 1973. Back then I knew his accomplishment was amazing, but didn’t fully realize how special it was that I witnessed at the time. Not until I got into my 40’s did I truly appreciate it. I bought a T-shirt that has the full call of the race printed on the back of it. What stands out to me is the words “Moving like a tremendous machine”! He sure did!
I had just turned 14 when I watched the races with my Dad…it’s a GREAT MEMORY FOR A GREATEST HORSE EVER💜💜👏👏👏👏💜💜
Actually, he was like a "tremendous machine".
W O W thAts a stellar shirt 🔥
It’s now 51 years and all of his records are still standing. Like I’ve said, there will NEVER be a greater horse than Secretariat. He was truly built to be the greatest. After he passed, they performed an autopsy to discover what the source was that made him so fast. It turns out that his heart was more than TWICE the size of a normal horse for one that size as well as having abnormally large lungs. He was able to keep his blood way more oxygenated and hold off the lactic acid that causes muscle fatigue. When all the other horses started to fatigued, Secretariat was just getting his second wind. It’s physically impossible for any horse to keep up the stamina and speed that Secretariat had. Secretariat was named God’s Horse for many reasons and there will never be another like Secretariat. He will forever be the greatest race horse ever.
Secretariat's son Tinners Way ran an exceptionally even race to win the Pacific Classic at Del Mar in 1:59-2. One of the best performances, ranking up there with Ghostzapper's BC Classic. You don't see dirt horses running so evenly.
Secretariat was perfection. Nobody can beat perfection. In another 50 years will be saying the same thing.
Thank you Ron for sharing your thoughts on the greatest horse ever . Know one will ever know what you and Secretariat could have accomplished in his 4 and 5 year old seasons .
Actually, Secretariat is the greatest race horse, ever. The greatest horse, ever has to be Mr. Ed. He could talk, do math, and give advise.
And fly planes.
No other horse might beat the record for the Belmont Stakes. It's already gonna be fifty and i think no one gonna beat big red's record🏇
Secretariat was a gift from God. There's other great horses but none hold a candle to the greatest race horse of all time. I remember watching all 3 races on TV and I never get tired of watching the videos. ❤❤❤❤
This never gets old ❤
I remember watching this on TV, as the Belmont Race occurred. Once he took the lead and then increased it to 31 lengths … you realize you watched history. “Moving like a tremendous machine !”
Sham's rider Pincay, Jr. said in an interview years after '73 that when he rounded the last corner in The Derby and was leading starting down the stretch that, knowing what a good horse he had under him in Sham, he thought he had won the race. He said when Secretariat went by him "so easily" he was shocked and he knew then "that horse would be very hard to beat".
Pincay also said of Secretariat at the Preakness. "When Secretariat made that big move on the first turn I smiled and said goodnight Secretariat because I figured that Ronnie had cooked him. No way he was gonna have something left at they end. When we got into the home stretch Ronnie never even cocked his whip. That's when I knew we were in trouble."
It's a pity sham was the same year; he could've had quite the triple crown effort of his own in a different year
@@darkhorseash4337Hard to accept for him and his connections, but he was a perfect foil for Big Red. "That's right, Sham DID run the second fastest Derby and Preakness ever."
@@tomault3063let alone those splits Sham ran in Belmont leading up to his injury. Sham also had the 2nd largest recorded heart of any equine and displayed his power. He was certainly a warrior but Sec wouldn’t be denied that year.
@@darkhorseash4337 I feel the same about Alydar in the show downs with Affirmed, came in second place in all 3 races....
I never tire of seeing stories of Secretariat ! The feeling of awe every time I watch this race still gives me chills ! Like many others, my eyes get filled with tears when he keeps extending his lead. I’m grateful for the videos of this magnificent horse.
Me too. He actually makes me want to be a better person! How can a horse do that? I don't know, but Secretariat does. 🥲🙂↔️
@@Ann-st8et..I think there was a supernatural element to Secretariat and we respond to seeing God’s glory on one of His creatures. What Secretariat did in the Belmont broke the barrier between the natural and the supernatural on that day.
I feel the same way! He WAS born to run.
I was 17 when my father and I watched all 3 races together and I'm still in awe when I see these videos of the greatest racehorse of all time. To win all three races is quite the accomplishment, but to do them in record times that still stand 51 years later is quite amazing. What he and Ron Turcotte did at the Belmont was astonishing. To hear Ron talk about that race, his thoughts on how to ride this magnificent horse was truly special. Thank-you Ron for your insight. I'm 68 now and I still well up with tears watching Secretariat run these races.
I'll never forget watching these races. Greatest horse ever, greatest racehorse ever, greatest athlete ever.
Certainly he was the greatest race horse, ever; but the greatest horse ever was Mr. Ed. He could talk, do math, and give advise.
Best jockey ever. never be another one like him. I remember all 3 of those races Wow. he had a horse that would and could run. Secretariat was one of a kind and there we never be another one.
There will never be a triple crown winner who will win Belmont as Big Red did. That event and the "miracle on ice" were the two greatest sports events I ever watched live on T.V.
mine too. felt the same pride and joy for each event. sports don't get any better than these two.
Secretariat STILL holds all three Triple Crown records as of 2024. 51 years later. GOAT.
He had a great triple crown series-- the best triple crown series ever. But after that, he was average. Secretariat lost 25% of his races, and he never won 6 in a row. And, he had 16 chances to win 6 in a row. Couldn't do it. 0/16.
Every time I watch these races, especially the Belmont, I can't stop the tears. He was incredible and gone too soon. ❤
You are 100% right. And you should know. He is the greatest horse that ever lived. people argue back-and-forth about Secretariat and Manowar and yet when you look at the times individually, Secratariat was ahead of me, and we’re like two seconds in every single race
No. He wasn't the greatest horse that ever lived. He was the greatest race horse that ever lived. Mr. Ed was the greatest horse that ever lived. He could talk, do math, and give advise. Plus, he had a sense of humor.
@@bobblowhard8823 I understand secretariat had I sense of humor as well as innate intelligence.
Thanks for the ride Ron. It's one of those moments that makes you have a stronger belief in God.
Secretariat was the GREATEST Horse I have ever witnessed win the Triple Crown. Sure, there has been a lot of Triple Crown winners. But, Secretariat was the most "MAGNIFICENT" Horse to have "EVER" won the Triple Crown in such fashion he won it!
I remember watching in 1973. What a horse.Big Red was a force of nature.
I agree. Secretariat was the greatest horse that ever lived. God Bless Ronnie Turcotte for letting him loose in the Belmont!
That 🐎horse has some sheer God given will and strength... Amazing Design Of the Lord.. Goat...
The greatest athlete who ever lived
What strength and endurance!! 🎉 and what Secretariat did in the Belmont Stakes was jaw dropping.!!! 🎉 Mesmerizing I sat there spellbound 🎉!!!! 😮😂
There will never be one like him again, not in my life time
Greatest race horse in HISTORY. NO contest!! I was 9 yrs old in 73 and remember it well!! 🇺🇲🇺🇲💙🇺🇲🇺🇲
When I want a pick me up I simply put on my favorite horse….Secretariet! I remember 1973 and watching that race! 31 lengths! 😊
Me too!
You would think that running a mile and a half that the splits would be a bit slower to conserve energy for the last 1/4 mile but Secretariat ran the first mile and a quarter of the Belmont faster than his record time in the Derby.
Who can't love Secretariat in each of the Triple Crown races. Picking one, though, the Preakness is my favorite. The way Secretariat made his move, I wonder if that move startled Turcotte? What a heart, what a mind, what a wonderful horse.
Ronnie, you said to Secretariat, "Fly like the wind buddy. You know what to do". He took it from there and decided to go even faster, just because he could. Thank you for not whipping him. He never needed it. He WAS the wind.
Ron Turcott you are wrong....2:24 is not a track record...its a world record on dirt that still stands!
Ronnie said Secretariat was even better on the grass!❤😊
@@paoloborasi536 He was.
@@paoloborasi536He beat the turf champion on turf.
I never get tired of watching those races! He truly is the greatest horse to ever race! He took your breath away!
Records are made to be broken but BIG RED HAS SET A STANDARD THAT HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME AND ALL ADVANCES IN TRAINING AND BREEDING ! BIG RED!
He was the greatest horse that ever lived !!❤
If Big Red were allowed to run as a 4yo or beyond, imagine how many track records he would have set. The horse that GOD built.
The syndicate wanted quick returns on their investment. Nowadays, such a horse would have been prohibitively expensive to insure.
It was the year after I graduated from high school. I remember reading about them in the newspapers, I think for sure there will be more Triple Crown winners, but I doubt any of them will beat Big Red's times, at least not without illegal doping.
Even with illegal drugs, there are limits to the horse’s body…
The tracks have gotten faster and faster and still none can match him. Chic Anderson said about his time in the Belmont…”this is a record that may stand…forever”. I believe it will.
Yes, no other horse comes close to the greatness of Secretariat. Wish I could have seen him at the track.
There will be other triple crown winners yet in our Lifetimes there will never be another Secretariat, i'm a witness!!!! A demonstration of God's Creation with a naturally huge Heart to Power his run 😲 You Go Big Red 🐎🌟🏆💜🌎
The most perfect creature that God built, bar none.
50 years later and all 3 records still stand. No other horse comparable. And our country really needed Big Red at that time. Top 3 sporting events I’ve ever seen.
You're so right I've watched that Belmont 30 + times I still get chills.i was in the 3rd grade and didn't know how special seeing it on TV it was special
My horse hero…Secretariat just LOVED TO RUN…RUN…RUN..
Just watched the movie Secretariat. Outstanding!
My career was in the horse business in central Ky. and I was lucky enough to meet Secretariat "in person". He had a personality to match his talent. The groom handed me some lifesavers, Secretariat's favorite, and told me to give him one, but not all. So I did. Secretariat looked me in the eye and pawed the ground three times. The groom said you've got three more lifesavers in your hand don't you? The horse saw how many I had been given and was asking for the rest of them! He could do the count no matter how many you had or gave him at first. I had such a great time that day and still have a piece of his mane. Thank you Mr. Turcotte for giving us all such a thrill. All the best to you.
In the Derby, he ran every quarter faster than the previous, accelerating all the way. The first was 25 and 2/5, the last was 23.
That was racing perfection! I watch this over and over. Just love it!
The culmination of the Belmont was a magical moment in time. An impossible performance that left horsemen stunned, struggling to comprehend the new definition of greatness that Secretariat showed us this day.
Very nicely put.
I watched each race and hands down the greatest race horse ever. ❤😊
Yes he was! I was in the first row on the mezzanine level in the 'cheap seats' closest I could get to the finish line. Two interesting facts about that day. Belmont was packed. I had decided I would get a winning ticket for Big Red and not cash it and, instead, save it and frame it. When I walked up the steps to get in line to get a ticket every line was back to the steps I just walked up. I knew immediately if I stayed in line I might never get a ticket before the race went off and two, I would probably miss the race because I was in line so I turned around and went back to my seat. When Big Red was nearing the final turn and heading down the long stretch at Belmont everyone started screaming and jumping up and down. For a moment I thought the mezzanine was going to collapse! Seriously, it was shaking like crazy! Anyway, so glad I was there. Since this comment is about horse racing I would like to say Secretariat, without a doubt, is the greatest horse that has ever lived, but along side of him will be the greatest filly who ever lived, Ruffian. She was undefeated and every mark in the Racing Form indicated her position at every point in every race was "1". Even in the match race against Foolish Pleasure (who had won the Kentucky Derby) when she went down to the horror of everyone who was there or saw the race on TV, she was ahead "1" before the misfortune took place. Btw, she is buried near the finish line at Belmont Park, It's now 2024 and there are plans to totally renovate Belmont and I wonder what they will do with Ruffian's resting place?
The greatest horse ever hands down
No. He was the greatest race horse of all time. Mr. Ed was the greatest horse of all time. He could talk, do math, and give advise. Plus, he had a sense of humor.
He had a great triple crown series-- the best triple crown series ever. But after that, he was average. Secretariat lost 25% of his races, and he never won 6 in a row. And, he had 16 chances to win 6 in a row. Couldn't do it. 0/16.
Sham never should have run in this race. He was finished after the Preakness. Poor horse was pushed beyond was any reasonable person would have done with a race horse.
You got that right 👍 I have watched this dozens of times,I love this horse ❤❤❤❤
I was 13 and I remember this like it was yesterday. One of the greatest sports moments ever for me. Only other thing I can compare it to was watching Reggie's 3 homers!
The GHOAT... Big Red. 🏇
No. He was the GRHOAT. Mr. Ed was the GHOAT.
The heart of the smartest horse ever lived.a present from God!😂❤
❤. Love you.. "SECRETARIAT", Thankyou PennyC, RonT, And Groom, Edward S.❤
Some of us getting a few years on us got to witness THIS beautiful thourabread race horse...he could RUN big Red was incredible he was very very special got to witness big Red run man he could run...just beautiful thing to see after the race he raised up on back to legs as if he new he he was a WINNER...or saying hope all enjoyed race ..he new
I cry every time I see him run. Truly magic.
Secretariat was in another Universe when its comes to horse racing,,,we will never see another Secretariat ever,,,and those that did see him race will never forget this magnificat horse which includes me.
Greatest Horse Ever!!!!
I watched that race on live TV. It gave me goosebumps.
Greatest athletic achievement of all time.
Secretariat is the most wonderful race hors ever and no ho s will be ver do what he did- magnificent horse! I wish I could have seen it in person!! Love you Secretariat💙🏇
True perfection is impressive no matter the arena because it is so rare. Watching this always gives me goosebumps. Will Secretariat’s times ever fall? Doubtful.
winning by 31 lengths in the Belmont .......... I still can't get over it and Ron and Big Red give me chills whenever I watch it
Others have taken the Triple Crown since then, but NO horse will EVER do it that way. I guarentee it
The GOAT
I’ll remember the Belmont till the day I pass, in all the years since I’ve never seen an championship athletic event so dominated. Big Red is the GOAT, there is no discussion.
The greatest athlete of all time. Of all time.
Gives me chills every time
I believe Secretariat is the best horse ever! But I was very happy that I was able to see another triple crown winner and I picked him to win all three races too and that was Justify! But watching the story of Secretariat still to this day brings me to tears! What a magnificent horse!
Beauty
The greatist athletic performance ever!!
Greatest athlete ever
Has any horse beat Secretariat.? He was anamazing horse, and I am fascinated with him. And you were probably one of the best riders at that time.
Most amazing horse in racing!
And the greatest jockey!
Still brings me to tears watching him run for the fun of it
You could breed race horses for a million years but none would even come close to this spectacular horse.
4/17/24 - Do the track records still stand? Sure hope so! @ 65 ugh I googled! They still stand! States best horse ever! At Belmont he kept gaining speed the whole race! Amazing 😻
When you see "New world record" in a horse's comment line, you know he's something special.
Secretariat's spirit was interviewed by a medium one time. He said he knew both before and after his lifetime on Earth what a great racehorse he would be (and was) but during his time on Earth didn't fully realise it. I guess that could be because he was races sick/unfit a few times and ended up 2nd or 3rd directly because of those trainer/owner errors. Also not to forget the 1970s were a peak period of thoroughbred performance, so he was unable to beat his tough competetion whilst running sick/unfit. Whereas other horses with unbeaten records probably walked aroybd thinking they were the GOAT but were not.
33,000 fans turned out at Aqueduct to see him retire!
He was. Big Red was special, he knew exactly what he was doing.
What an amazing horse 😊
I want to meet the man that rode this Divine Wind. No horse will do it Like Secretariat did.