FAQs

How big is the Secretariat monument?

At 21 feet long and 11.5 feet tall, the 3,800-pound bronze monument depicts Secretariat at a full run, ridden by jockey Ron Turcotte.  The great Thoroughbred is wearing the number two saddlecloth for the Belmont Stakes, his most famous race. The monument is 1.5 times his natural size. 

What else is special about this monument?

The statue traveled over 5,000 miles in 2023 on the 50th Anniversary Triple Crown Tour, from the foundry in Oklahoma to Ashland for the unveiling, to the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont races, Saratoga, Colonial Downs, and even the Virginia Governor’s Mansion before returning to the Ashland area to “winter over” in a private barn while the plaza was under construction. 

This is the only statue of Secretariat not standing on a pedestal. The SECVA committee wanted him to be accessible to fans so he was placed at ground level on a base. The base itself is extraordinary, as it is composed of polymerized sand blended with sand from the racetracks of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont, and the original training track at The Meadow, Secretariat’s birthplace.

Why was Ashland chosen for the Monument?

There are several reasons, starting with family ties.  Christopher T. Chenery, who founded nearby Meadow Stable in 1936, grew up in Ashland and attended Randolph-Macon College. He maintained close ties to the Town throughout his life and is buried there with several family members. His daughter, Penny Chenery, visited Ashland often and is also buried there. Her daughter Kate Chenery Tweedy lives in Ashland and is an active citizen. The Ashland community, which considers Secretariat their “hometown hero,” enthusiastically embraced the statue project, raising money and contributing in-kind services. 

Another plus is that Ashland, which is about 15 miles north of Richmond, is a vibrant tourism destination. Visitors and residents can enjoy the eclectic shops, farm-to-table dining, lively arts and entertainment, historic venues, hiking and biking trails, and a full calendar of special events. Our Secretariat monument is ideally located “where the action is,” and is already becoming a starring attraction in its own right.