The Secretariat For Virginia Committee (SECVA) of the Ashland Museum has announced the dates for the groundbreaking and dedication ceremonies for the “Secretariat Racing Into History” monument.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Reynolds Family Plaza at Randolph-Macon College, where the magnificent bronze will be permanently installed, will take place on Wednesday February 7 at the site at 11:00 am. The event is free and open to the public.
The Secretariat Monument “Racing Into History” will be installed and ready for dedication by March 30. Secretariat was born on that date in 1970 at Meadow Stable, which was founded by Christopher Chenery, formerly of Ashland. The town will celebrate the dedication and birthday with a full day of festivities. More details will be announced soon.
“Secretariat Racing Into History,” by renowned sculptor Jocelyn Russell, is the first and only monument of the legendary Triple Crown champion in Virginia. At 21 feet long and 11.5 feet tall, it is also the largest one in existence, weighing in at 3,500 pounds. The monument garnered national publicity last summer during its 5,000-mile tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s Triple Crown.
SECVA, the Ashland Museum, and many supporters, including Ashlanders, have raised the money to purchase the monument. Ownership will be officially conveyed to the town at a ceremony at the Town Council meeting on February 6.
