Secretariat, a Virginia-bred horse from Caroline County, was born at Meadow Farm in the early morning of March 30, 1970. Sired by Bold Ruler from Somethingroyal, the chestnut colt grew to over 16 hands high and at two years old was the size of a three-year-old. In his 16-month career, he started 21 races, won 16, finished second three times, and third once. His career earnings were $1.3 million, and he still holds the fastest times at all three Triple Crown tracks: the Kentucky Derby at 1 1/4 miles in 1.59 flat, the Preakness at 1 3/16 miles in 1.53, and the Belmont at 1 1/2 miles in 2.24. He averaged 37.7 miles an hour for the Triple Crown races in 1973. Secretariat died on October 4, 1989 and is buried at Clayborn Farms in Paris, Kentucky.