Description:

A museum quality piece, this display commemorates Secretariat's impressive win at The 1973 Man o' War Stakes and contains one of only a handful of authenticated Secretariat-worn racing plates in existence.  The shoe, cataloged in The Official Secretariat Archives as item #sec100873MW-HBCt, was worn by Secretariat in his winning effort in the prestigious Oct. 8, 1973 stakes race at Belmont Park.

The 1973 Man o' War Stakes is historically significant for several reasons:
A) It was Secretariat's first competitive racing effort over a grass surface;
B) Secretariat established a new course record with a winning time of 2:24 4/5 for the 1 1/2 mile distance; and;
C) The prestigious stakes marked Secretariat's final victory with jockey Ron Turcotte aboard and the penultimate racing appearance in the champion colt's storied career.

Secretariat's impressive victory also held long-term implications for his future breeding career, proving the Triple Crown winner was equally adept on turf as he was over dirt. This versatility would broaden interest for his stallion services, especially from prospects overseas where turf racing figured more prominently in the sport. The shoe was obtained following the Man O' War Stakes, and such was its significance that it was one of the few racing plates that Secretariat's owner Penny Chenery kept in her own personal collection of artifacts. Adding further significance and provenance to the shoe is an accompanying personal note hand-written by Ms. Chenery shortly after Secretariat's untimely death in October 1989 that documents the shoe and states: "Grass Shoe removed from Secretariat following the Man O War Stakes. Oct. 1989" While the shoe displays no distinct casting marks, it does exhibit the typical marks and scuffs of a race-worn shoe. The shoe also contains remnants of organic artifacts and other matter within its exterior nail channel. The Shoe is mounted within a gold-framed display along with an original 1973 Man o' War Stakes track program, original $2.00 uncashed winning pari-mutual ticket, and a photo montage of the race hand-signed by Secretariat's Hall of Fame jockey Ron Turcotte. 

Insured Value: $90,000.00