Ruther Glen in Caroline County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Birthplace of the Legendary Secretariat

Triple Crown Champion

— 1970 - 1989 —

Birthplace of the Legendary Secretariat Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 8, 2025

1. Birthplace of the Legendary Secretariat Marker

Inscription.
Secretariat's Legacy
The greatest Triple Crown Champion of all time is a Virginia-bred horse from Caroline County, Virginia. Secretariat was born in Caroline County in the early morning of March 30, 1970 at Meadow Farm. Secretariat was sired by Bold Ruler from Somethingroyal. The foaling shed in which Secretariat was born still stands. An attractive chestnut colt, he grew to over 16 hands high and was at two years the size of a three-year old.

In his short 16-month career, Secretariat started 21 races, had 16 wins, three second-place finishes, and one third-place finish. Secretariat's career earnings were $1.3 Million and still holds the records at all three race racks of the Triple Crown for the fastest times.

Secretariat died on October 4, 1989 and is buried at Clayborn Farms in Paris, Kentucky.

Race • Distance • Record Time
Kentucky Derby • 1 1/4 miles • 1.59 flat
Preakness • 1 3/16 miles • 1.53
Belmont • 1 1/2 miles • 2.24

Secretariat averaged 37.7 miles an hour for the Triple Crown races in 1973

Caroline County dedicates this marker in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Secretariat's Triple Crown Races of 1973. Secretariat, born in Caroline, holds the track records for all three races. Happy 53rd Birthday Secretariat, March 30, 2023.

Erected 2023

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by Caroline County.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is March 30, 1970.

Location. 37° 56.469′ N, 77° 27.783′ W. Marker is in Ruther Glen, Virginia, in Caroline County. It is on Carmel Church Loop north of Rogers Clark Boulevard (Virginia Route 207), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 23724 Rogers Clark Blvd, Ruther Glen VA 22546, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: In Honor and Remembrance (here, next to

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 8, 2025

2. Birthplace of the Legendary Secretariat Marker

this marker); Carmel Church (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Hermon Baptist Association Memorial (approx. 1.2 miles away); Grant’s Operations (approx. 1.2 miles away); Like to Eat? (approx. 3.2 miles away); a different marker also named Like to Eat? (approx. 3.3 miles away); Long Creek Action (approx. 3.3 miles away); Golansville Quaker Meetinghouse (approx. 3.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ruther Glen.

Regarding Birthplace of the Legendary Secretariat. Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths, which is the largest margin of victory in the race's history.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 8, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 409 times since then and 100 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 8, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.