Throughout its spectacular Triple Crown Tour running from the racetracks of Louisville, Baltimore, New York, Saratoga and Colonial Downs, through Middleburg and the Governor's Mansion in Richmond, "Secretariat Racing Into History” has racked up enormous mileage and media attention. Now the well-traveled monument finally is in the homestretch to its hometown.
“We are thrilled to confirm that Secretariat is definitely coming home to Ashland, Virginia!” said Kate Chenery Tweedy, chair of Secretariat For Virginia (SECVA.) “Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of supporters, the Ashland Museum can now move forward and purchase this stunning bronze of Virginia’s hometown hero for the Town of Ashland.” SECVA is a committee of the Ashland Museum, a non-profit organization.
“Although this is a major milestone, we’re not over the finish line yet,” she emphasized. “The campaign won’t be complete until we have enough funds for the whole project, which includes installation, landscaping, benches, donor plaques, informational signage and educational elements. Construction costs have soared in recent years and that has driven up our budget as well. Fortunately a number of local businesses who are donating services will defray some installation cost. We want to give “Secretariat Racing Into History” a setting that is truly worthy of his stature as a Virginia icon.”
Ms. Tweedy noted that support for the monument has come from a wide array of corporations, foundations, private donors and scores of loyal Secretariat fans. “We are deeply grateful to our major donors, the Richard S. Reynolds Foundation and the Bishop/Robertson family, but also to the countless individuals who have helped make this possible,” she said. “Every dollar counts, especially since no taxpayer money is being used for this acquisition. So we urge those who may have thought the fundraising was over to contribute and help us complete this landmark project for Ashland and Virginia,” she added.
The site selected for the monument is on the campus of Randolph-Macon College, across from the Ashland/Hanover Visitors Center beside the Amtrak station. The statue by acclaimed sculptor Jocelyn Russell is 11.5 feet tall and 21 feet long, the largest sculpture of Secretariat on record. It will be the first and only statue of the champion in his home state. Ashland was chosen for the monument due to its longstanding ties to the Chenery family. The founder of Meadow Stable, Christopher Chenery, grew up in the town, attended Randolph-Macon and later founded nearby Meadow Stable where Secretariat was born, raised and first trained.
The dedication ceremony in Ashland is planned for spring 2024.
For additional information on the Secretariat monument project, please see www.SecretariatforVirginia.com and www.ashlandmuseum.org.
April 1, 2023
And We're off! SECRETARIAT RACING INTO HISTORY UNVEILED IN ASHLAND… NOW THE FUNDRAISING RACE IS ON!
Secretariat, in the form of a majestic bronze sculpture, received a hometown hero’s welcome on Saturday, April 1 in Ashland, VA. The official unveiling of Jocelyn Russell’s powerful depiction of the Virginia-born Triple Crown legend sparked uproarious cheers from the hundreds of fans who gathered to witness the “big reveal.”
The larger-than-life artwork will be on display in at the Ashland Town Hall until late April. Then it will depart on the cross-country tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s historic Triple Crown of 1973.
Now the fundraising must pick up the pace to insure that the monument will return to Ashland later this fall!
“Secretariat’s story truly would come full circle if this monument is placed permanently in Ashland,” said Kate Chenery Tweedy. Her grandfather Christopher Chenery grew up in Ashland and attended Randolph-Macon College, as did generations of the Chenery family. He founded Meadow Stable in nearby Caroline County where Secretariat was born on March 30, 1970. Kate’s mother Penny Chenery, the beloved “First Lady of Racing” managed Secretariat’s spectacular career. She and many Chenery relatives are buried in Ashland. Kate Tweedy lives in Ashland and is the chair of the Secretariat For Virginia Committee of the Ashland Museum.
Secretariat Racing Into History will be the first and only statue of the great champion in his home state of Virginia. The Town of Ashland and Randolph-Macon College have agreed to provide a site on the college campus near the CSX train tracks in the downtown area.
The total cost of the Secretariat monument is $995,000. This includes foundry costs, transportation, site preparation, landscaping, pedestal and related expenses. Additionally, we are actively seeking support from corporations, grants, in-kind contributions and local donors. These efforts have already generated close to $200,000.
You Can Help us Bring Secretariat Across the Finish Line to Ashland by making a tax-deductible donation to:
- Our Secretariat GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/f/bring-the-secretariat-monument-to-ashland-va
- The Ashland Museum, our 501c3 partner, at www.ashlandmuseum.org
Read more here: https://secretariatforvirginia.com/fundraising
WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT!
Triple Crown Tour Begins!
Secretariat named Grand Marshal of Kentucky Derby Parade
By aboyd | Published April 27, 2023
DERBY FESTIVAL PARADE ON SUNDAY
Secretariat Monument & New Pegasus Balloon to Make Debut on Broadway
April 27, 2023. Louisville, KY. – The event that started the Kentucky Derby Festival – the 68th annual Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade – steps off THIS SUNDAY, April 30, at 3 p.m. The parade will march West on Broadway from Campbell to 9th Street. This is the second year the parade has been held on Sunday to kick off Derby Week. It’s one of the festival’s most cherished and popular events and attracts thousands of spectators to downtown. The theme of this year’s parade is “Celebrating Derby Traditions,” to showcase all that is special and unique about the Derby Festival season to the community.
“The Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade showcases our community at its finest and is part of what makes this time of year so magical,” said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President & CEO. “We are proud to have a tradition that brings excitement and a sense of togetherness to our city. We think it’s the perfect start to Derby week and look forward to being back on Broadway this Sunday with our Festival fans and their families.”
Secretariat is being honored as this year’s Grand Marshal to mark the 50th anniversary of his historic Triple Crown win. A bronze monument of Secretariat in full stride will make its debut at the parade, as part of the “Secretariat: Larger Than Life 50th Anniversary Tour.” The monument will be accompanied by Kate Chenery Tweedy and Sarah Manning, daughters of Penny Chenery, Secretariat’s owner.
September 2023 Newsletter: IT’S OFFICIAL! SECRETARIAT MONUMENT CONFIRMED FOR ASHLAND; FUNDRAISING STILL ACTIVE FOR INSTALLATION COSTS
“We are thrilled to confirm that Secretariat is definitely coming home to Ashland, Virginia!” said Kate Chenery Tweedy, chair of Secretariat For Virginia (SECVA.) “Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of supporters, the Ashland Museum can now move forward and purchase this stunning bronze of Virginia’s hometown hero as a gift to the Town of Ashland.”
“Although this is a major milestone, we’re not over the finish line yet,” she emphasized. “The campaign won’t be complete until we have enough funds for the whole project, which includes installation, landscaping, benches, donor plaques, informational signage and educational elements. Construction costs have soared in recent years and that has driven up our budget as well. Fortunately, several local businesses who are donating services will defray some installation cost. We want to give ‘Secretariat Racing Into History’ a setting that is truly worthy of his stature as a Virginia icon.”
Ms. Tweedy noted that support for the monument has come from a wide array of corporations, foundations, private donors and scores of loyal Secretariat fans. “We are deeply grateful to our major donors, the Richard S. Reynolds Foundation and the Bishop/Robertson family, but also to the countless individuals who have helped make this possible.”
“Every dollar counts, especially since no taxpayer money is being used for this acquisition,” she emphasized. “Donations are tax-deductible, so we urge those who may have thought the fundraising was over to contribute and help us complete this landmark project for Ashland and Virginia.” See www.ashlandmuseum.org to donate.
WHAT A SENSATIONAL SUMMER FOR SECRETARIAT!
Throughout its spectacular Triple Crown Tour running from the racetracks of Louisville, Baltimore, New York and Saratoga, "Secretariat Racing Into History” has racked up enormous mileage and media attention. The August itinerary kept up the pace. Here are some highlights:
Middleburg rolled out the red carpet for Big Red at sold-out events at the Middleburg Community Center and the National Sporting Library and Museum on August 8-9. Kate Tweedy, Leeanne Ladin, Jocelyn Russell and Wayne Dementi hopped on the Secretariat trailer. Jocelyn kissed Bo, a Secretariat descendant posing by the bronze of his ancestor.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin hosted the “Welcome Home Secretariat” reception at the Executive Mansion on August 11. SECVA team in picture: Michael Dubail, Jocelyn, Kate, Robin Hutton and Leeanne. Meadow Stable grooms Larry Tillman and Alvin Mines stand by the statue with their wives Dorine and Elaine. Larry and Alvin helped take care of young Secretariat at The Meadow.
Kate Tweedy presented the trophy for the $500,000 Secretariat Stakes at Colonial Downs on August 12. Gigante, a Secretariat descendant bred in Virginia, was the winner. Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Joe Guthrie posed with the major trophies and SECVA team members. The Secretariat monument also was on display for the event and will remain there until September 9, the final day of racing.
COMING UP – THE VIRGINIA DERBY ON SEPTEMBER 9 AND THE LAST CHANCE TO SEE SECRETARIAT AT COLONIAL DOWNS!
Concluding his whirlwind Triple Crown Tour, this will be the monument’s final appearance at a public event. How fitting to top off his epic tour and the summer racing season at our own Virginia track! See www.colonialdowns.com for more info about the Virginia Derby. Our Secretariat will be “parked” at a secure private location while the work on the plaza is completed. We are planning to hold the dedication ceremony in spring of 2024. Stay tuned!
The updated fundraising sign spells it out!
BE A PART OF ASHLAND HISTORY WITH “SECRETARIAT RACING INTO HISTORY!”
MAKE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TODAY TO THE ASHLAND MUSEUM AND HELP US GET THIS CAMPAIGN OVER THE FINISH LINE!
EVERY DONATION OVER $5000 SECURES A SPOT ON THE SECRETARIAT MONUMENT DONOR PLAQUE!
SEE WWW.ASHLANDMUSEUM.ORG TO DONATE
Thank you from the SECVA Team!