American Sports and Athletes on Stamps

Thoroughbred Horse Racing

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The 33-cent Secretariat stamp was issued November 18, 1999 as part of the Celebrate The Century Series.

In 1973, a two-year-old, twelve hundred pound Caroline County, Virginia born Thoroughbred racehorse named Secretariat cemented his place in sports history after winning the Triple Crown. This achievement is composed of three important races, the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. At the Kentucky Derby, Secretariat set a new track record with a sub-two minute first place finish. At the Preakness Stakes, Secreatriat moved during the race from last to first place and finished first with a new track record time. At the Belmont Stakes, Secreatriat completed his Triple Crown victory with a thirty-one length margin of victory setting a new world record for that distance. The 1973 Triple Crown victory along with his other career achievements firmly cemented Secretariat's place in sports history as the most important non-human athlete of the twentieth century.