To honor Secretariat, the 1973 Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown winner (and most the likely fastest horse ever), the Kentucky Derby Museum and Secretariat Festival, a Paris, Kentucky festival that commemorates the legendary horse, are working together on creating the world's largest horseshoe.
An exact replica of a shoe worn by Secretariat will be unveiled at the Museum September 20 at 1 p.m. Secretariat's owner and jockey are expected to be present. Guests who purchase general admission to the Kentucky Derby Museum are invited to attend the event.
“A horseshoe of this magnitude is iconic to our mission and has the potential to be a signature exhibit," Kentucky Derby Museum President Patrick Armstrong said. "Joining forces with Secretariat.com and the Secretariat Festival was the catalyst that made this idea into a reality.
The casting of the shoe was the collaboration of Louisville-based Eagle Sign & Design Inc. and Thoro’bred Inc., maker of the original Secretariat shoe worn during his celebrated racing career.The finished piece is expected to weigh nearly half a ton. The Museum will formally announce the result of its record-breaking attempt during the event on Sept. 20.
“The horseshoe is a piece that will not only commemorate Secretariat’s impact on racing but will also expand the Secretariat Festival beyond Bourbon County and garner deserved attention for the treasure that is the equine heritage of Kentucky,” said Leonard Lusky, president of Secratariat.com.
Before returning to its permanent home, the world's largest horseshoe will travel around the country next summer.
Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Derby Museum's Facebook page.
