Secretariat was an American thoroughbred race horse (Sire: Bold Ruler -- Dam: Somethingroyal) born on March 30 1970 at Meadow Farms Stables in Caroline County, Virginia.
Secretariat's race records in the Derby and the Belmont stand to this day; his run in the Belmont is not only a race record, but the world record for a mile and a half on a dirt track. He set a new speed record in each of the Triple Crown races, the only horse in history to do so.
His winning margin of more than 31 lengths in the long and grueling Belmont Stakes is remembered as one of the most dramatic events in thoroughbred racing history and one of the most incredible individual athletic achievements ever, both human and non-human. He was nicknamed "Big Red" by his legion of fans, and in a survey of the 100 greatest athletes of the 20th century, he was listed 35th, the only non-human on the list.
He was retired to stud at the end of that racing season, after four more victories and two second-place finishes. His last two races were on grass, and he won them both. In 1974, he was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
Secretariat died of the complications of laminitis on October 4, 1989. He is buried at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky.
On October 16, 1999, in the winner's circle at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, the United States Postal Service honored the great horse, unveiling a 33 cent postage stamp with his image.
The United Nations has a Secretariat, headed by the Secretary-General.