Kentucky Derby Museum is thrilled to announce the opening of its brand new, immersive exhibit, Secretariat: America's Horse.
The exhibit opens in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Secretariat's historic Derby win and Triple Crown sweep. He set records in each of the Triple Crown races, records that still stand today.
Visitors will be able to watch each of those remarkable Triple Crown races on a larger-than-life, 10-foot wall.
Fans of the movie Secretariat can take a picture on the red carpet which features real costumes and clips from the Disney movie. Guests can read handwritten notes and suggestions by Penny Chenery, on an original film script from the movie. Guests can also snap a photo with America's largest horseshoe – a 610-pound replica made from one of Secretariat's own.
State-of-the-art technology inside the exhibit allows for guests to visualize what made Secretariat a super horse – from his unbelievably large heart, to extra muscle, and more. A variety of artifacts, memorabilia, and trophies also help tell Secretariat's story.
“I'm dazzled. I think it's so cool, the way modern museum science and exhibits are put together, how they can tell the story of Secretariat for a new generation,” said John Tweedy, son of the late Penny Chenery, owner of Secretariat. “The huge screen that plays the three races, and then the trophies right there, is really a knock-out. I think people seeing that will really be in awe, and I think this exhibit will inspire greatness for anyone who visits.”
The exhibit, sponsored by Longines, shows Secretariat from all aspects of his greatness. From his impact as a celebrity in the hearts of so many, to his incredible athleticism, to his role in the midst of war and Watergate.
“After nearly two years of planning, researching, designing, and bringing this exhibit to life, Kentucky Derby Museum is excited to invite thousands of visitors around the globe to experience Secretariat and his greatness like never before,” said Patrick Armstrong, President & CEO of the Museum. “We named this exhibit, Secretariat: America's Horse, because we understand how much Secretariat means to so many people. We know that this experience will spark even more admiration and appreciation for this horse of a lifetime.”
The 1,000 square-foot exhibit is permanently located on the second floor of the Museum, and is more than seven times larger than the previous display on the first floor. Local design company, Solid Light, designed the exhibit to incorporate unique technology, visuals, and video that will create an immersive experience for guests.
The exhibit is designed to showcase Secretariat's life, stardom, and incomparable impact on horse racing, America, and the world. Secretariat is often considered the greatest racehorse of all time, and is regarded as one of the most remarkable athletes, being named one of ESPN's top 100 athletes of the 20th century, a list that includes names like Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth, and Muhammad Ali. Secretariat cemented his stardom through a hit film from Walt Disney Studios in 2010.
“It is rare that the Kentucky Derby Museum dedicates a permanent exhibit to a singular Thoroughbred racehorse, but Secretariat merits that,” said Chris Goodlett, Kentucky Derby Museum Senior Director of Curatorial and Educational Affairs. “It will show our guests exactly why Secretariat has endured as a celebrity to this day. From the new artifacts to the advanced visual projections, we're excited for the amazing story we get to tell and also the exciting new methods we're using to tell it.”
The exhibit is now open to the public Friday, April 21. A Secretariat Bourbon Dinner, held on Thursday, April 20, gave VIP guests a sneak preview of the exhibit.
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