"Champions" Are Forever

I wanted to take a nostalgic moment to look back and share the love and joy my "Secret" will always bring to me. As she lives today, so will her legacy live on in my heart.

The word “champion” is defined in Webster’s dictionary as “a person who has defeated all opponents in a competition or series of competitions, so as to hold first place.”

I would like to take a moment to tell the world about my special angel that redefines that definition in every aspect and reflect on my experiences and thoughts about being a new owner in the race horse industry.

Secret Ta Gold (Demidoff-Hopeful Game by Game Xoda) was born on May 19th, 2004. I had to work two jobs to pay for her stud fee and her board. Secret was a special filly from the first day she was turned out with her dam. She took off running down the street and had to be tracked down. At that point, I knew Secret Ta Gold wanted to be a racehorse. Secret struggled her entire career with her confirmation, but she always fought through the pain, as the one thing she loved to do more than anything was to run. Her ears would pin back, and I would swear a smile would be on her face. Secret was as fast as a bullet and would have strong works and had jockeys in Chicago wanting to ride her for her first race in which she was the even money favorite.

Then disaster struck. Secret was diagnosed in December of 2006 with Arytenoid Chondritis of the left flap. I went to the best veterinarians in Kentucky, and I was told she should be retired. Secret had other plans. I found a beautiful doctor at Purdue Large Animal Hospital in Indiana, Dr. Jan Hawkins, DVM, DACVS, who performed the surgery to perfection. Secret spent a month at Purdue and the entire team fell in love with her. Dr. Hawkins became a member of this special filly’s fan club. When I selected her name prior to her birth, I never knew the significance it would have on everyone she came in contact with throughout her career. Her “gold dust” seemed to sprinkle off on people.

As she fought multiple obstacles trying to make it back to the track, she proved again why the word “champion’ is appropriate to her. I thought of how I could share her with sick children who needed a role model. I partnered with the Make- A- Wish Foundation in Illinois and started a program with children to introduce them to Secret Ta Gold. The children seemed to identify with her immediately and found happiness in her that most would never understand but them. Secret would race for those special children and carry their hopes and dreams of a better life in her heart and hoofs.

As I sent Secret from trainer to trainer trying to find Tom Smith, a trainer that would look deeper and see the untapped talent and intelligence, I soon realized that that type of trainer was very hard to find. She was judged by her pedigree, confirmation, and results in the three races she raced. They never wanted to look deeper to see who she really was and what an impact she could have on the nature of the sport, and she was quickly dismissed. I think that the industry needs more dreamers, more youth, and more horses like Secret Ta Gold to appeal to the mainstream and make this a sport we can all be proud of. Champions are built in all shapes and sizes.

As Secret’s small body started to break down, she never showed it. She ran with her ears back, and never letting anyone know the pain she was in. But she continued to meet special children and make her impact in ways that will forever define her.

As Secret Ta Gold was preparing for her final race at Hawthorne Racecourse she was in bad shape. She was planning a final race for a special four year old boy that loved horses. It was discovered that she had arthritis in her hock and a torn suspensory. She was fighting through the pain to have one last run for a special person, but it was not meant to be. Secret Ta Gold’s short racing career was over. I never managed to get this special filly to the Winners Circle. For that I am disappointed. But her calling was more important than that. She was a true champion and example for sick children everywhere and always managed to put a smile on their faces and joy in their hearts. This "dream" will live on in her children.

On a blustery late October Sunday at Hawthorne Racecourse, Secret Ta Gold met one more special child and then was quietly sent off to recover in retirement. She will continue to work with children in any way she can. There were neither cheers nor accolades as she departed. She will never be spoken of like Barbaro or Secretariat. Her name will be quickly forgotten. But to me and to so many beautiful children, she will always be remembered as my little Secret. The mother of her latest Make-A-Wish child said it best when she spoke of the relationship between Secret and her son:  

“My son has met his horse soul mate. They are alike in so many ways that most could never understand. The impact she has made on him will last his short lifetime… They both may not do what we expected when they were born but are doing even greater things than we ever could have imagined.”

Secret taught the entire industry a lesson about heart, spirit, and the will to fight overcoming obstacles around every corner, and she took them on with grace and dignity. She made an impact on this sport that was different and unique. The Jockey Club recognized her contributions and pensioned her name for all time. Not for her racing record, but for her gifts to humanity and to improve the image of horse racing. No horse may ever be called Secret Ta Gold, like her great grandfather, Secretariat.

Please let’s not forget this champion...I never will.

Please visit www.bestkeptsecretracing.com for more information and contact me if you would like me to give a special presentation to your group or business on this amazing journey. It will provide inspiration to all.