Secretariat Owner’s 99th Kentucky Derby Ticket and Blanket Rose to Go On Display in Kentucky

LEXINGTON, KY – Emmy Winner and two-time Academy Award nominee James R. Messenger is donating two iconic symbols of horse racing to the International Museum of the Horse at the Kentucky Horse Park – Secretariat owner Penny Chenery’s ticket to the 99th Kentucky Derby and a rose from Secretariat’s “Blanket of Roses.”  

To this day, Secretariat’s 1:59 2/5 seconds “Run for the Roses” in 1973 remains the all time Kentucky Derby speed record, and he was the first horse to run the Derby in less than two minutes.

“Role model excellence – some consider Secretariat the greatest of all athletes – begets excellence,” said Messenger, “The chance for young and old to connect with such a champion directly should prove inspirational for others.”

Mr. Messenger is making this gift to the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation in the name of NFL Quarterback Tom Brady, who also serves as an athletic role model through his achievements at the highest level of human effort in sport – and who also is a big fan of the Kentucky Derby.

Bill Cooke, director of the International Museum of the Horse, stated “These two pieces of memorabilia are a wonderful addition to our existing Secretariat exhibit, which includes three of Secretariat’s Triple Crown trophies.”  Ms. Chenery’s ticket and the rose will go on display at the museum prior to the 2015 Kentucky Derby.