The legendary thoroughbred racehorse Secretariat was born at Meadow Stable near Ashland, Virginia. So, it is only fitting that The Center of the Universe will host Big Red’s triumphant return this weekend to kick off a national celebration of the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s 1973 Triple Crown.
Immortalized as a 3,500-pound bronze statue by acclaimed sculptor Jocelyn Russell, the statue “Secretariat Racing Into History” will travel over 1,000 miles from Oklahoma to Downtown Ashland just in time for festivities on Saturday, April 1st. The Secretariat for Virginia Committee will celebrate Big Red’s birthday with cake, family-friendly activities, movies, music, museum tours, and even a surprise special guest!
The celebration recognizes the Secretariat for Virginia Committee’s plans to install the “Secretariat Racing Into History” statue at the corner of England Street and Railroad Avenue in Downtown Ashland. Randolph-Macon College and the Town of Ashland have offered the site for the statue to stand as a permanent monument to Secretariat’s life and legacy.
For viewers, the larger-than-life monument will illustrate the equine athlete’s illustrious career. For Ashland resident, author, and speaker Kate Chenery Tweedy, the heroic artwork highlights her family legacy. “Secretariat's story truly would come full circle if the monument is placed in Ashland," said Ms. Tweedy in an interview with Secretariat for Virginia.
Her grandfather, Christopher Chenery grew up in Ashland, attended Randolph-Macon College, and founded nearby Meadow Stable where Secretariat was born in 1970. Her mother, Penny Chenery, took over the family farm and managed Secretariat’s history-making career. Kate Chenery Tweedy chairs the Secretariat for Virginia Committee with the hope of raising enough money to install “Secretariat Racing Into History” in Ashland permanently.
If the Secretariat for Virginia Committee meets its fundraising goals, this will be the first and only monument of Secretariat in his home state of Virginia. It is a part of artist Jocelyn Russell's vision that “Secretariat Racing Into History” go to pasture in his home state. Ms. Russel said in an interview with Secretariat for Virginia, “This is literally where his history started.” Fundraising efforts are already out of the gate at the Ashland Museum, where donations are being accepted.
EVENT DETAILS
Saturday, April 1, 2023
From 11 AM - 1:30 PM, the Ashland Theatre will show Disney’s “Secretariat” for free while Ms. Tweedy - who appeared in the movie with her mother - shares her behind-the-scenes perspective on set.
At 2:00 PM at Ashland Town Hall Pavillion, “Secretariat Racing Into History” will be officially unveiled with Ashland famous friends, special guests, live music, and birthday cake fit to feed a horse.
From 2:30 - 5:00 PM, meet Secretariat's lookalike and descendant while Ms. Russell presents her process of sculpting the monument. Enjoy family-friendly activities and crafts, a display of the Secretariat's first saddle, and videos of his Trip Crown races. The Ashland Museum will offer tours and Secretariat merchandise.
See “Secretariat Racing Into History” before it continues its multi-state tour. The monument will be on display at Ashland Town Hall.