50th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION March 27-29 in Ashland and at The Meadow

For immediate release: February 24, 2020

(Doswell, VA) - On March 30, 1970, a legend was born. A fiery red colt named Secretariat took his first breath in a foaling shed at Christopher Chenery’s Meadow Stable. In 1973, he left the world breathless with his spectacular and incomparable Triple Crown. Those three track records remain unbroken, and his bloodlines still live on today in many of racing’s most successful .

During the weekend of March 27-29, Secretariat fans from all over the will be gathering at the Chenery hometown of Ashland and at the birthplace of the legendary race horse, now known as The .

On Friday night March 27, fans can enjoy a welcoming reception from 5 - 7 pm. at the Iron Horse Restaurant where they can mix and mingle with members of the Secretariat team. Kate Chenery Tweedy, daughter of the late beloved who raced Secretariat, will be meeting guests. Tweedy moved from to Ashland and is actively continuing her mother’s legacy. She is co-author of the award-winning book Secretariat’s Meadow – The Land, The Family, The Legend.

On Sunday March 29, there will be a Big Red Breakfast with Tweedy at Hanover Tavern, followed by a tour of Ashland and a visit to Penny Chenery’s grave at Woodland Cemetery.

Tickets for the welcoming reception on March 27 and the breakfast and Chenery tour on March 29 may be purchased at www.secretariat.com.

On March 28, The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County will host an all-day celebration honoring the immortal champion, the land where he was born, and the people who took care of him. Joining Kate Tweedy will be acclaimed sports journalist Steve Haskin, who has written extensively about Secretariat. Otto Thorwarth, who played Hall of Fame in Disney’s Secretariat, will be on hand, along with Steve Jordan, assistant to Secretariat’s trainer .

The festivities kick off with Family Fun time from 11 am - 3:00 pm with a half-day ticket at $20 for adults and $10 for kids. Highlights include:  A free commemorative Secretariat 50th Birthday gift to the first 250 attendees, courtesy of celebration sponsor Colonial Downs Racetrack, home of the nationally acclaimed Secretariat Turf Course  Autograph sessions with Tweedy, Haskin, Jordan, Thorwarth, and other special guests  A special exhibit of spectacular Secretariat paintings by renowned contemporary American Impressionist Lisa Palombo, whose art has been featured on over 40 book covers and national magazines  A one-day only exclusive exhibit of the Penny Chenery Room featuring some of her designer jackets, her mother’s oil portrait and other family heirlooms  Visits with Groundshaker, great-great granddaughter of Secretariat, and Mia, the Mighty Mini of The Meadow  A display of the original training saddles worn by Secretariat and  A Kiddie Corral with “horsey” activities for kids  Tours of the Meadow Hall galleries and the original Meadow Stable barns, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register  A silent auction, birthday cake, food concessions and much more.

The full-day ticket includes all of the above, plus a special evening program from 4 - 8 pm. It will feature a cocktail reception in Meadow Hall mansion with live jazz; a trio of custom-designed Secretariat birthday cakes created by nationally acclaimed Virginia baker Amanda Richardson, who has been featured on The Food Network; a special memorial tribute to members of the Meadow Stable team; a silent and live auction of rare Secretariat items; and a champagne toast at Secretariat’s foaling shed.

A major highlight of the evening program will be the interactive panel discussion on “Disney’s Secretariat: Fact and Fiction” with Tweedy, Haskin and Thorwarth. Guests will get an insider’s perspective of the differences between the silver screen portrayal and the actual events.

The full day ticket price is $70 per person and includes a commemorative Secretariat champagne glass.

Tickets to the Secretariat 50th Birthday Celebration at The Meadow Event Park on March 28 may be purchased at https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/16111/secretariat-birthday-celebration

For general information about the celebration, see www.meadoweventpark.com/visit- us/secretariat50.

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Media contact: Leeanne Meadows Ladin, Secretariat tourism manager/historian, 804-363-1683 [email protected]