Secretariat Day Celebration Schedule

The Town of Ashland has proclaimed Saturday, March 30th “Secretariat Day” to celebrate the birthday of the legendary Triple Crown champion and to hold the long-awaited dedication ceremony for the stunning bronze statue “Secretariat Racing Into History” by sculptor Jocelyn Russell.

As a tribute to Secretariat’s Virginia roots and his still-unbroken track records in the 1973 Triple Crown, the majestic sculpture will be standing on a base containing portions of sand from the original training track at Meadow Stable and from the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont tracks.

The Secretariat Day festivities are free and run from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Secretariat Day Schedule

  • 11:00 am – 1:30 pm: Ashland Theatre

    • free showing of “Secretariat” movie with welcome by Kate Chenery Tweedy and sculptor Jocelyn Russell

  • 11:00 am – 4:00 pm: Randolph-Macon Parking Lot, next to Secretariat Plaza

    • live music by local musicians, food trucks, local vendors and exhibits including a time capsule with a scroll for fans to sign for Secretariat Day; also a “Kiddie Corral” with crafts, a Secretariat coloring sheet, real jockey silks, and more.

  • 2:00 pm: Dedication Ceremony For “Secretariat Racing Into History”, Randolph-Macon parking lot and Secretariat Reynolds Family Plaza

    • Ceremonial Call to Post

    • Guest speakers

    • Special Performance by Bubba Johnson and the Second Zion Baptist Church Gospel Choir

    • Ribbon-cutting for “Secretariat Racing Into History”

    • Secretariat birthday cake and cupcakes

    • Photo ops and festivities continue 

  • 3:15 -3:45 pm: Ashland Theatre

    • Jocelyn Russell and Kate Tweedy speak on “The Secretariat Monument’s Journey to Ashland”

  • 4:00 pm: Secretariat dedication event concludes

Livestream Available: If you cannot attend the event, our friends at the Virginia Equine Alliance are going to livestream all the action on the Virginia Horse Racing YouTube Channel.

Look for These Exhibitors in the Secretariat Plaza

  • Tim Robinson’s Sound Station Tent

  • Main Information Tent  

  • Secretariat’s Meadow books and merchandise  

  • Ashland Museum– Time Capsule Station

  • Kiddie Corral Activities– Jockey Silks Photo Station; Coloring Station

  • Downtown Ashland Association

  • Montpelier Center for Arts & Education

  • Secretariat Legacy Books -  Patricia McQueen  

  • Secretariat Artist - Judith McKinney

  • RMC Equestrian Table

  • Champion Saddlery Table

  • Virginia Equine Alliance Table  

  • Virginia Horse Council

Enjoy our Local Food Vendors

  • Los Regios Center of the Universe Tacos  

  • Monique's Crepes

  • Farmview Creamery  -  Offering Big Red Floats!

Live Music Lineup

courtesy of Tim Robinson and Center Street Sound Company

11:15 am – 11:45 am, Chad’s Fault – Ashland based acoustic duo consisting of Vonda Fox and Tim Robinson covering Country, Southern Rock, Indie, and Blues.

12:00 pm – 12:45 pm, Matt Treacy – A Hanover native and lead engineer of Free Jambalaya Studio here in Ashland, Matt has played in a number of bands since 2012 and has produced records for many artists in the studio.  He currently leads audio teams for the podcast Phantom Limb and the film company BENspired Productions.

1:00 pm – 1:45 pm, The Self-Righteous Brothers –This duo consists of brothers Ned and Chris Henson who are mainstays on Ashland stages and beyond.  They perform a wide range of covers from the past and present and are always a crowd pleaser.

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm, part of ceremony, Bubba Johnson and Mt. Zion Baptist Choir – Members of this esteemed choir have roots stemming back to working directly with Secretariat. They will help celebrate the day with inspirational songs honoring the unveiling of the statue.