Secretariat and the Legacy of the Greatest Racehorse in History…

When Secretariat galloped into theaters in 2010, it brought with it more than a tale of triumph on the track. It delivered a polished, Disney-fied version of one of the most astonishing true stories in American sports history: how a relatively inexperienced woman took control of her father’s failing stables and, with unshakable belief in a horse named Secretariat, rewrote the history books of thoroughbred racing.

Directed by Randall Wallace with a script by Mike Rich and Sheldon Turner, and starring Diane Lane as Penny Chenery, and inspired by William Nack’s 1975 book Secretariat: The Making of a Champion. Secretariat is as much about a woman’s defiance of 1970s gender roles as it is about horse racing glory. With sweeping cinematography, a rousing score, and a focus on determination over odds, the film taps into the formulaic magic of sports dramas while commemorating a very real, very dominant athlete—one with four legs.

But how much of what’s shown on screen really happened? Who was the real Penny Chenery? And what ethical questions does the film overlook in its sanitized depiction of the horse racing world? Let’s explore the film’s historical context, its characters, and the legacy it portrays.

Historical Accuracy: Disney’s Version vs. Reality

Secretariat broadly adheres to the main events of the horse’s life, particularly his legendary Triple Crown win in 1973. The races—especially the Belmont Stakes, which the real Secretariat won by an unprecedented 31 lengths—are re-created with cinematic reverence. But in its effort to create a feel-good narrative, the film trims and reshapes some key details.

For instance, the script downplays the business complexities Penny Chenery faced in real life. While the movie suggests a relatively straightforward series of decisions, Chenery’s actual path involved intense financial negotiations, a syndication deal to cover her father’s estate taxes, and plenty of behind-the-scenes maneuvering. Trainer Lucien Laurin, played with flamboyant flair by John Malkovich, was far more reserved and calculated in real life than his Hollywood portrayal suggests.

Moreover, the film simplifies the competition. Rival horses and races like Sham, Riva Ridge, and others are condensed or omitted to streamline the narrative. This choice may help pacing, but it erases the broader tension and talent of the 1973 racing season—a season that featured more than one great horse.

Still, despite these simplifications, Secretariat preserves the emotional and historical essence of its source. It’s not a documentary, but for many viewers, it successfully ignites curiosity about the real events behind the glory.

Penny Chenery: The First Lady of Racing

Diane Lane’s portrayal of Penny Chenery is quietly powerful—equal parts maternal, stubborn, and visionary. Yet the real-life Chenery was even more complex. Born into horse racing royalty, she had been exposed to the sport as a child, though she initially pursued a more conventional life as a suburban mother and wife. When her father’s health declined, she stepped into a world she had once only observed—and took command.

What Secretariat captures well is Chenery’s resilience in a male-dominated business. She wasn’t taken seriously at first—few women were in 1970s racing circles—but she understood not only the emotional connection to her horses but also the sharp business acumen required to survive. Her 1973 syndication deal for Secretariat, selling shares in the yet-unproven colt to cover estate taxes, was a landmark moment in equine finance and one of the savviest moves in sports history.

After Secretariat’s success, Chenery remained an active voice in the racing world for decades, advocating for both the sport and the ethical treatment of its animals. Her presence wasn’t just a moment—it became a movement.

Secretariat: A Racehorse Like No Other

Secretariat wasn’t just good. He was a force of nature. Nicknamed “Big Red,” the chestnut colt with a white blaze was born at Meadow Stables in 1970 and quickly displayed freakish talent. His physical structure alone defied standard biology: an enormous heart (more than twice the average size), perfect stride symmetry, and an unusually calm temperament that allowed him to focus even amid the chaos of race day.

His 1973 Triple Crown sweep—winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes—is still unmatched. In each race, he not only won but set records that remain unbroken. The Belmont in particular has entered sports mythology: Secretariat pulled away from the field and kept extending his lead, finishing 31 lengths ahead. Watching the footage feels almost surreal, as if time bent around him.

The film captures this race in one of its most powerful scenes, blending slow motion with swelling music to evoke something transcendent. And that’s fitting—Secretariat’s performance wasn’t just an athletic triumph. It was poetry in motion.

Hollywood vs. Horse Racing: What the Film Doesn’t Show

While Secretariat delivers a rousing underdog story, it glosses over some of the more controversial aspects of horse racing—particularly around animal welfare. The sport has long been scrutinized for its treatment of horses, from the use of performance-enhancing drugs to the injuries and fatalities that occur on the track. The 2020s have seen renewed debate about horse deaths at tracks like Santa Anita, raising tough questions about the ethics behind the glamor.

Disney, unsurprisingly, sidesteps these issues. The film avoids discussing topics like breakdowns, medication abuse, or what happens to racehorses after their careers end. In that sense, Secretariat is a selective portrait, capturing the romance of racing without its shadows.

This isn’t a critique of the film’s intent—it’s a family movie with a focus on triumph—but it’s important to understand what’s missing. For viewers who want to go beyond the feel-good version, the true history of the sport is both more inspiring and more unsettling.

Why Secretariat Still Matters

Secretariat may not tell the whole story, but it tells a powerful one: of a woman who refused to be underestimated and a horse who redefined greatness. The film celebrates faith, persistence, and beauty in motion—values that transcend the racetrack.

For cinephiles and history buffs alike, it opens the gate to a deeper exploration of the 1970s, of sports mythology, and of the people and animals who shape cultural memory. And more than a decade after its release, it remains one of the most accessible entry points to understanding why Secretariat wasn’t just a horse—but a living legend.

Secretariat is the is the Featured Film Blog of the month for May, for its Kentucky Derby and horse racing story. You can expect to read a critique of the 2010 film that looks at the champion thoroughbred race horse Secretariat, You can also read a recommendation for the film with a look at the Triple Crown Races. There is also a review of the film that looks at William Nack’s 1975 book that inspired the film. For the interview, Diane Lane sits down with Rolling Stone‘s Peter Travers to discuss playing Secretariat’s owner Penny Chenery. There is also a Top Ten List to commemorate the film being a Featured Film Blog of the month, and for Secretariat, the topic of the list is My Top Ten Horse Movies! And finally, as a Featured Film Blog of the month, you can watch the Official Trailer for Secretariat, and then plan on watching it tonight on Disney+!

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Secretariat is available now with a subscription to Disney+…