Secretariat by William Nack (Paperback)

Discover the extraordinary, true-life account of one of America’s most illustrious racehorses.

When Meadow Stables, her cherished family estate, teeters on the brink of closure due to her father’s illness, Penny Chenery, a devoted housewife and mother, takes a momentous step. Despite her limited knowledge of horse racing, she enlists the expertise of trainer Lucien Laurin and a cadre of accomplished jockeys.

Facing off against the formidable Phipps racing dynasty, Penny makes a daring choice to breed her mare, Somethingroyal, with the Phipps’ celebrated stallion, Bold Ruler—a darling of the nation’s racing circuit. A coin toss determines which family will take Somethingroyal’s first offspring, while the other will claim the colt sired by Hasty Matelda and Somethingroyal’s second foal. Fortune favours Penny with the birth of a radiant chestnut colt, affectionately known as “Big Red” or Secretariat.

Guided by Laurin’s expertise, Penny embarks on a challenging journey through the male-dominated realm of horse racing. Her determination culminates in the birth of a Triple Crown champion, the first in a quarter-century, and possibly the most exceptional racehorse in history.

Now, over three decades since its original publication, the legend of “Big Red” endures as a timeless classic. “Secretariat” celebrates not only a magnificent racehorse but also the unwavering dedication of Penny Chenery, who, following her triumph with Secretariat, blazed a trail by becoming the first female member of The Jockey Club—a transformational moment in American horse racing history.