As the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville draws near, numerous stories highlight horse racing’s most iconic event. Among the names frequently mentioned this week is Secretariat.
When the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years crossed the finish line in 1973, he set speed records at both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, forever securing his place in history. But what you might not know is that “Big Red” also influenced one of the most tradition-rich schools in the Bluegrass State.
Secretariat left a lasting mark on the University of Kentucky. Inside the UK football facility, a replica of the Meadow Stable racing silks that Secretariat wore during his 1973 Triple Crown run is proudly displayed. The blue-and-white checked pattern was also turned into an alternate jersey for the basketball team, a design first introduced in 2008.
Still, the eye-catching look wasn’t universally loved. Current NBA superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander admitted he wasn’t a fan of Nike’s unconventional uniform design during his time with the Wildcats.
So why does Kentucky take such pride in a horse that was actually born in Virginia?
The answer lies in the fact that Secretariat spent most of his life at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky—just outside Lexington. As the Lexington Herald Leader put it, the legendary American thoroughbred will forever be linked to the Wildcats and their enduring traditions.
The 2026 Kentucky Derby is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC, with streaming available on Peacock.
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