The Equestrian Legacy Endures: Each Steed in the 2025 Kentucky Derby Traces Back to the Mighty Secretariat
Digging into the Secretariat Legacy
Fast-forward to 2022, and the Kentucky Derby brings together horses with an incredible common ancestor—the legendary Secretariat. Yearning to shatter his Churchill Downs record, a new generation of racers born from the same bloodline will partake in the 151st running of the Derby.
Remember the name Secretariat? This iconic horse claimed the sport's first Triple Crown in a quarter of a century back in 1973, beating every track record on the prestigious racing circuit with style. His records have yet to be broken, and on Saturday, a descendant could snap the Churchill Downs mark.
Some intriguing contestants vying for the top spot in this year's race include the favorite, Journalism, and longest shots, Baeza and Neoequos. But it's interesting to note, these horses all share a common ancestor in none other than Secretariat.
After his career as a racing champion ended, Secretariat showed signs of being quite the stud. His semen was in high demand by breeders, resulting in more than 660 foals! This widespread distribution across the industry has given rise to a strong and unbroken lineage for Secretariat, even six generations later.
Stephen L. Miller, a Fox News contributor, made a humorous comparison between Secretariat's prolific breeding and NFL player Antonio Cromartie. "Secretariat is the Antonio Cromartie of horse racing," Miller quipped.
Whether the competition can break the Churchill Downs record remains to be seen. But one thing is certain, as the race unfolds, Secretariat's legacy will continue to make history at the Kentucky Derby.
Post time for the Kentucky Derby is 7:02 p.m. ET. Remember to be part of this incredible event and cheer for the horse(s) on your top list!
** Secretariat's Lasting Legacy**
Some fun facts about Secretariat:- He was the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Citation in 1948.- His racing career began in 1972, ending in 1973 after winning the Belmont Stakes.- After his racing days, Secretariat sired more than 660 foals.- In the 2025 Kentucky Derby, every horse in the field is a descendant of Secretariat, including the three gray horses, Sandman, Final Gambit, and Chunk of Gold, who are five-generation descendants.
(Photo by Jerry Cooke/Corbis via Getty Images)
N.B. - Data regarding the 2021 Kentucky Derby was not found in the given results. For specific 2021 details, consult the Kentucky Derby’s official pedigree archives or trusted horseracing databases.
- The Kentucky Derby in 2022 sees a new generation of racers, all with a connection to the legendary Secretariat, aiming to break his Churchill Downs record and claim the Triple Crown.
- Secretariat, who claimed the sport's first Triple Crown in 1973, is the common ancestor for many horses competing in the 2022 Derby, including the favorite, Journalism, as well as longer shots Baeza and Neoequos.
- After his career as a racing champion ended, Secretariat proved to be quite the stud, fathering more than 660 foals, a number not unlike that of NFL player Antonio Cromartie.
- Stephen L. Miller, a Fox News contributor, humorously remarked that Secretariat is the "Antonio Cromartie of horse racing."
- In the 2025 Kentucky Derby, every horse in the field will be a descendant of Secretariat, even five-generation descendants like Sandman, Final Gambit, and Chunk of Gold.
