Secretariat’s Last Footage [Video]

We have reached the triple crown season in horse racing.  After every Kentucky Derby I can't help but think about Secretariat and his historic run in 1973.  'Big Red', as he was known, had an amazing heart.  At the time of his death, doctors estimated that Secretariat's heart was 2 and 3/4 larger than the average horse.

In 1989 'Big Red' was nearing the end of his life.  The nineteen year old champion was afflicted with laminitis, a painful and often incurable hoof condition.  When his condition failed to improve, he was euthanized on October 4th, 1989 at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky.

A salesman for a television station happened to drive to Claiborne Farm three days before Secretariat was euthanized.  He didn't realize you needed an appointment to see the great champion.  After some pleading with the farm hands, the salesman and his family were allowed to see 'Big Red.'  He shot video, and told his story to the television station after Secretariat died three days later.

It's pretty amazing that these are the last images of the greatest race horse that ever lived.