All 2025 Kentucky Derby horses descend from legendary Secretariat
- All horses racing in this year's Kentucky Derby are descendants of the legendary racehorse Secretariat.
- Secretariat's remarkable speed and record-setting achievements are celebrated and impact current horse racing.
- The legacy of Secretariat continues as all horses in the Derby race on May 3, 2025, are linked through his lineage.
The 2025 Kentucky Derby is notable not only for its competitive horses but also for an extraordinary lineage. Every one of the 21 horses participating in this year's race is a descendant of the renowned racehorse Secretariat, a champion that set remarkable records in the early 1970s. Secretariat's legacy continues to thrive due to his prolific breeding, as he sired over 660 foals during his post-racing life. His lineage is now a significant part of thoroughbred racing, demonstrating how influential he remains in the breeding world even six generations later. This connection to Secretariat ensures that his remarkable achievements are honored, regardless of which horse wins the race today. The Derby is set to take place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, and the excitement surrounding it reflects the ongoing admiration for Secretariat's remarkable speed and endurance, which are still celebrated in modern horse racing.