Big Red Secretariat

SECRETARIAT

Secretariat ! Simply the best horse ever ! ❤️

Exterminator — The Galloping Hat Rack

Long before modern racing became dominated by sleek, carefully bred champions, one unlikely-looking gelding captured the imagination of an entire generation.

Exterminator (1915–1945) was a tall, angular chestnut who became affectionately known as “Old Bones,” “Old Slim,” and most famously, “The Galloping Hat Rack.” His unusual appearance hid an extraordinary racing machine.

In the 1918 Kentucky Derby, Exterminator entered as a massive long shot and shocked the racing world by winning the classic. He went on to build one of the most remarkable records of the era, making 99 starts and winning 50 races. He also captured the Saratoga Cup four consecutive years, a remarkable achievement for its time.

But Exterminator’s greatness was about more than statistics. He became a true fan favorite—an unconventional-looking horse whose toughness, consistency, and determination made him one of racing’s most beloved champions.

He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1957, ensuring that the story of “The Galloping Hat Rack” would never disappear from Thoroughbred history.

Not every legend looks like a champion at first glance.
Some simply have to prove it. 🐎🏆

i cried so hard when she had to be put down. she kept on running even horribly hurt. i still believe she would have won

People talk a lot about Secretariat’s massive heart. Do you think that was the real secret to his dominance, or is it overhyped? Explain your take.

🔥🐎 Was Secretariat’s greatest strength his incredible speed, or was it his determination and heart? Pick one—or give us your own answer. Why?

Secretariat was born in 1970 at Meadow Farm in Virginia. From the beginning, he possessed the physical qualities that would later make him one of the most famous racehorses in history.

His size, strength, powerful hindquarters, and unusually long stride gave him an incredible advantage on the track.

His racing career began in 1972, and it did not take long for fans to notice him. Secretariat combined speed with an almost unbelievable ability to keep accelerating.

By the end of his two-year-old season, he had become a national sensation.

His three-year-old season transformed him from a promising champion into a sporting icon.

In the 1973 Kentucky Derby, Secretariat ran faster than any horse before him had officially run the race. He followed that victory with another impressive win in the Preakness Stakes.

If you could travel back to the 1970s for ONE day… 🕰️🐎
Would you choose to watch Secretariat race, meet him at the barn, or simply walk beside him?

Two legends. One legacy. 🐎🔥
Secretariat’s bloodline continues to shape the racing world—but this statistic makes the story even more interesting.
19 out of 20 horses have Secretariat in their bloodline.
What do you think—does Secretariat’s legacy still define modern horse racing? 🏇🏆

Secretariat has been gone for decades, but somehow his story still feels alive. We can still watch his races, see his powerful stride, and imagine the roar of the crowd as he crossed the finish line. Time may pass, but greatness does not disappear. Every new generation of horse lovers discovers Secretariat and understands why his name became legendary. His body may have rested long ago, but his spirit continues to run through history. 🐎❤️