Secretariat clinched the Triple Crown in 1973. This legendary racehorse swept the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, becoming the first winner in 25 years and etching his name in history with record-breaking performances.

Race-by-Race Timeline

Secretariat's path to glory unfolded over five weeks that spring:

  • Kentucky Derby (May 5, 1973) : He surged from behind to win in a record 1:59 2/5, shattering the previous mark.
  • Preakness Stakes (May 19, 1973) : A narrow victory by 2½ lengths, holding off Sham in a thrilling duel.
  • Belmont Stakes (June 9, 1973) : The crowning moment—he demolished the field by 31 lengths in 2:24, a record that stands today.

These feats weren't just wins; they redefined speed and stamina, with Secretariat's massive heart (estimated twice normal size) fueling his dominance.

Why It Mattered

In a turbulent era marked by Vietnam and Watergate, "Big Red" offered pure escapism. His Belmont romp drew 100,000+ fans and remains the greatest race ever run , per many experts. Owner Penny Chenery called it a "fairy tale," turning horse racing into national theater.

"Secretariat ran each race faster than the last... a mile and a half in 2:24? Unheard of." – Racing lore echoes this awe.

Records Still Standing

Race| Secretariat's Time| Margin of Victory| Previous Record
---|---|---|---
Kentucky Derby| 1:59 2/5| 2½ lengths| 2:00 (Northern Dancer, 1964)3
Preakness| 1:54 2/5| 2½ lengths| N/A (new benchmark)1
Belmont Stakes| 2:24| 31 lengths| 2:28 1/5 (Damascus, 1967)4

Over 50 years later (as of 2026), all marks endure, cementing his "Superhorse" status amid just 13 Triple Crown winners ever.

TL;DR : Secretariat won the Triple Crown on June 9, 1973 , capping a flawless run that still mesmerizes.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.