Secretariat’s Legacy: How His Genes Dominate the 2025 Kentucky Derby
Remarkably, all 19 horses competing in the 151st Kentucky Derby share a common ancestor: Secretariat. Each horse’s pedigree reveals a connection to the legendary Triple Crown winner, ranging from fourth to seventh generation descendants. This widespread lineage stems from Secretariat’s prolific breeding career, resulting in over 660 registered foals whose influence continues to impact modern thoroughbred racing. While not unprecedented, the complete presence of Secretariat’s genetic legacy in this year’s Derby field is a noteworthy statistical occurrence.
John Q. Hosedrinker