HISTORY of the Center

The Secretariat Center began as a visionary project in conjunction with the Kentucky Horse Park and racing industry, as well as between Maker’s Mark and Keeneland, to showcase to the world the athletic abilities and talents of the American Thoroughbred. Maker’s Mark issued three limited edition bottles of bourbon through the Keeneland commemorative bottle program which featured Triple Crown winners Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed. The bottles were signed by the owners, trainers, and jockey. The proceeds from these bottles funded the construction of the Secretariat Center facility, and with thanks to the additional generosity of Castleton Lyons Farm, Eaton Sales, Mary Lou Whitney, her husband John Hendrickson, and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, the Center opened its doors in October of 2004. It is comprised of 20 acres of paddocks, a ten-stall barn, an outdoor arena, a round pen, a Hitchcock pen, and a small cross country course. At any time it houses 10 to 20 Thoroughbreds all in different phases of training and all available for adoption.

The Center provides education for former racehorses to move on to new careers. We stand as a beacon for those interested in learning about reschooling horses and specifically about the assets and virtues of the remarkable Thoroughbred breed. Thanks to the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Riggio, owners of Barnes & Noble and devoted fans of Thoroughbred racing, the Center enjoys a collection of resources on training horses in its onsite training Library. We have educational opportunities from high school through college for volunteers and for public groups.

The Center is open by appiontment Monday through Saturday.  Visitors are welcome to tour the facility, watch training sessions, or use the library. To try a horse as a potential adoption candidate, individuals must first complete an adoption application and be approved as an adopter by the Secretariat Center adoption committee.