If you’re a fan of legendary Thoroughbred racehorse Secretariat, you’ll want to celebrate his birthday at his birthplace, The Meadow, with members of the Secretariat racing team.

Enthusiasts can mark the eighth annual celebration March 24-26 during the Virginia Horse Festival, which celebrates horses and riding disciplines of all types. Fans can enjoy three days of clinics and demonstrations with top clinicians, a parade of breeds and 60,000 square feet of indoor shopping.  

Slated to join the Secretariat birthday festivities are Charlie Davis, Secretariat's exercise rider, and Kate Chenery Tweedy, daughter of Penny Chenery and co-author of the award-winning Secretariat’s Meadow – The Land, The Family, The Legend and Riva Ridge – Penny’s First Champion with Leeanne Meadows Ladin. 

The celebration is a collaboration with Secretariat.com and includes the following: 

• a meet-and-greet with Groundshaker, resident Secretariat great-great-granddaughter, and Covert Action, a Secretariat grandson and “spokeshorse” for the local Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation;

• Mia, the resident miniature horse, who will be decked out like a little “Big Red”;

• a new “Barn Appetit” dinner with a guest chef and the Secretariat racing team, highlighting local artisanal foods and craft beverages;

• “Big Red on the Big Screen.” a showing of the Disney film Secretariat with commentary by members of the Secretariat team;

• narrated tours of Meadow Hall showcasing the Chenery Collection of rare Meadow Stable artifacts;

• a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Groundshaker’s new barn, along with some exciting announcements for the Secretariat tourism program;

• photo opportunities at the “World’s Largest Horseshoe,” a giant 600-pound replica of Secretariat’s racing shoe, located by his historic yearling barn; and

• an extensive selection of official Secretariat merchandise for purchase in the Exhibit Hall.

Tickets are on sale at VirginiaHorseFestival.com. 

Secretariat was born at The Meadow on March 30, 1970. Today his birthplace is listed on the state and national historic registers and offers year-round narrated tours. See secretariatsmeadow.com/info-on-narrated-tours-of-the-meadow for more information.