Secretariat's Authenticated Preakness Garland to Be Auctioned for Charity. - Saratoga Horse Racing Blog: f!llies 'n mares By The Alpha Mare Marion Altieri

1973 Preakness winners circle.jpg
I can add nothing to this press release.

All I can say is, if you’re a die-hard Secretariat fan–I mean, a REAL FAN, not some jerk who just likes to own stuff because it’s valuable–I mean, someone who LOVES Secretariat, and LOVES this sport–then you need to buy this and thereby, give to the R.A.C.E. Fund.

If you’re a fan and you get it in the auction–you’ll be blessed with the presence of Secretariat, in your Home. (Unless, of course, you get it, then decide to give it to ME, as a gift…)

😉

If you’re NOT a real fan and you get it just ’cause you like Having Stuff…then you are a Visigoth, not worthy of such a treasure. And shame on you, for having such screwed-up priorities.

So…I’m going to assume that a REAL fan will get this, because it would be Karmically bad for a mere “collector” to acquire it. But as I think about it…if you’re just a collector, and you get this–think about this–your money will go toward the saving of horses’ lives.

And you owe it to yourself, to meet some horses for real-for real, and let them draw you into their spirits. Let them breathe on you…fall into their eyes…feel the Wind of Heaven. If you can meet a horse in the flesh and spirit, and NOT come away completely changed for the better–then you ARE a Visigoth. But give yourself a chance, to grow as a soul. Horses are great therapists and priests, rabbis and imams. 🙂

With that spiritual intrigue out on the proverbial table, I present…the press release, from Secretariat.com:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: (502) 473-1036

information@secretariat.com

SECRETARIAT’S
PREAKNESS GARLAND AVAILABLE IN SPECIAL OFFERING

Showcase
Collector’s Piece is a One-of-a-Kind Artifact

LOUISVILLE, KY– (July 18, 2016)
– In a recent episode of the Smithsonian Channel’s Sports Detectives,
investigators followed a trail leading to the long-lost 1A saddlecloth
Secretariat wore in the 1973 Kentucky Derby. Following this development in that
43-year-old mystery is news that the 1973 Preakness Stakes garland, an original
artifact from the Secretariat archives, will be available for sale to benefit
the equine charity R.A.C.E. Fund.

The
provenance for the 1973 Preakness garland, originally lush with traditional
black-eyed susans, originates from the private collection of Secretariat’s
owner, Mrs. Penny Chenery, and is verified to be the actual garland that
adorned Secretariat in the winner’s circle following his
historic win at Pimlico, the second stop on his way to a legendary Triple Crown
championship. While Secretariat’s commanding two-and-a-half length victory was
historical fact, the official time for the race was
scrutinized for almost four decades. The Maryland Racing Commission finally
settled the issue in 2012 determining that Secretariat’s final time was a
record 1:53 flat. The ruling corrected history and officially underscored what
many already knew — that the champion Thoroughbred had set records in all three
Triple Crown races, records that still stand today.

Leading
up to its sale, the garland will be on pubic display at the Sept. 16-18
Secretariat Festival in Paris, Ky., and other still-to-be determined locations.
In the meantime, inquiries for a private sale will be accepted, and the
possibility of a public auction is being explored for
this important piece of memorabilia. While the market ultimately will determine
the value of the garland, notable, authentic Secretariat artifacts have continually garnered significant
interest and premiums in the sporting memorabilia community. Recently an
original race-worn shoe sold for more than $35,000 and the value of the missing
1A Kentucky Derby saddlecloth was estimated to be $250,000 by Sports
Illustrated in 2005.

“The garland carries with it so many memories of that special
day at Pimlico,” said Mrs. Chenery. “My hope is that this unassuming piece of
racing history will make a mark on the sport’s present and better the future
for its horses. The R.A.C.E. Fund offers exceptional work, and I am confident
that the proceeds from the garland’s sale will help with the efforts of this
most worthy organization and benefit the horses they serve.”

R.A.C.E.
Fund, the TAA-accredited charity that helps racehorses in need of retirement
and rescue from slaughter, will receive proceeds from the sale of Secretariat’s
Preakness garland.

“We are so incredibly honored
to be a part of the garland that graced the shoulders of one of the greatest
Thoroughbreds of all time,” said R.A.C.E. Fund President Marlene Murray.
“Secretariat’s victory in the Preakness so many years ago will still benefit
Thoroughbreds today as it will enable our organization to continue our mission
of helping horses. We are very grateful to Mrs. Chenery and the immortal
champion Secretariat.”

To
inquire about the sale of the garland, email information@secretariat.com. More information about the Secretariat Foundation
can be found at Secretariat.com, the official website for the legendary
Thoroughbred champion.

Celebrating
racing’s past to enrich its future, Secretariat.com is a comprehensive
online source for historical information, photography, merchandise, and
memorabilia chronicling the enduring legacy of the 1973 Triple Crown winner.
For news and updates, follow Secretariat on the official Facebook, Twitter and
Instagram accounts.

– END –

Secretariat’s Authenticated Preakness Garland to Be Auctioned for Charity.

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