Bold Ruler was considered one of the most significant stallions of his time. He was known to have both the speed to be a frontrunner and the stamina to run 1 1/4 mile tracks.
The colt, a red chestnut horse with three white socks and a star with a narrow blaze, was named Secretariat, a name that sets the standard for horse racing to this day. Secretariat showed exceptional greatness within the first two years of life, winning the 1972 American Horse of the Year honors. This record for a two year old was only repeated once since, in 1977.
April 1972, Jimmy Gaffney's life intersected with the famed racehorse Secretariat. Jim had worked with racehorses for most of his life and when he first met Secretariat, his life was forever changed. Jim was quoted as saying:
"I had been on race horses almost all of my adult life and when I stepped up on Secretariat the first time in April, 1972. I had this big red machine under me and from that very first day I knew he had had a power of strength that I have never felt from a two year old horse before. The very first time Lucien Laurin told me to work him a quarter mile the April morning at Belmont Park, I told him that he would be RUNNING REALLY FAST and he said so let him. I went a quarter in 21 seconds and I believe that Lucien realized at that time we had a racehorse on our hands."
Jim was one of two men entrusted with exercising the champion Secretariat and did his job with the same passion that defined his life. A coin toss decided the birth of this champion and fate introduced the champion to a man who would contribute equal greatness to Secretariat and to those who loved him.
1973 Secretariat wins the famed Kentucky Derby by 2 1/2 lengths, setting a track record of 1 minute 59 seconds, a record that stood for the next 28 years. Each 1/4 mile segment of the race was successively faster than the last, demonstrating that Secretariat was accelerating even through the last 1/4 mile. The win was epic.
1973 Secretariat runs the Preakness Stakes and again, comes from behind and is never challenged, winning by 2 1/2 lengths. The champion racer was now on the cover of Time magazine and center stage in the public consciousness that was being challenged at the time, by events such as U.S. troops being withdrawn from Vietnam, oil prices increasing by 200%, 100,000 unemployed workers laid off from U.S. car makers, Roe v. Wade trial and deepening recession...but for that moment in time America had hope. The hope was that this young horse could win the Triple Crown after an upcoming race at the Belmont Stakes.
1973 Belmont Stakes, Secretariat runs in front of 67, 605 eager spectators and opens not from behind the pack, but setting a fast pace, challenged only by a horse named Sham.
Secretariat and Sham run 10 lengths ahead of any other horse. After 6 furlongs, Sham begins to tire and fades into the pack, finishing last. Secretariat however, runs even faster, finishing 31 lengths ahead of the other horses and not only wins the race, but sets a record for the fastest time of any horse in a 1 1/2 mile track, 2 minutes and 24 seconds. The record time continues to stand today.
Many winning ticket holders never turn in their tickets, choosing instead to hold on to them as souvenirs and a memory of that magical day at Belmont Racetrack, when Secretariat, won the coveted Triple Crown, reassuring us that even in challenging times events can occur that show us greatness.
On October 4th, 1989, Secretariat lost his earthly race that all living things run, but he left us with a legacy that is just as important today. His name will be forever linked to a championship year when he drew our attention away from World events, even for a few minutes. Secretariat's championship year inspired us, gave us reason to look at our own lives with promise and hope, and made us smile.
On the morning of June 3rd, 2010, Jim Gaffney also left us with a legacy that will stand for all time. Jim Gaffney had many accomplishments, loving Husband, dedicated Father and Grandfather, friend to everyone he's ever met. I am proud to say that I had the good fortune of getting to know Jim over the last seven years. His passion and happiness was always evident in his quick smile and warm easy laugh.
On the weekend of May 29th 2010 Jim Gaffney attended an event at the Belmont racetrack with his son Jim. Even through his weakened state, he visited, took pictures and signed autographs for other horse racing fans...with his signature warm smile. Jim was able to meet one of Secretariat's offspring and for a moment he was joined with the history that made him so passionate during his life. Jim worked with Secretariat for a little over a year, but it was the year that the name and courage of Secretariat captured our hearts. Jim's life was one of the rare occasions when someone touches their passion and are forever changed, and through their experience, forever change us. He lived a rich and full life and this full life inspires us to hope for a brush with greatness, that even by chance can change us forever.
Secretariat is remembered as a horse that loved to run, a horse that not only came from behind, but that ran faster and harder than any other horse, a horse that was clearly motivated by the joy of running the race.
June 5th, 2010: The 142nd running of the Belmont Stakes will start just a few hours after funeral services for Mr. Jim Gaffney have concluded. The race he loved, the track at which he celebrated the win of Secretariat, the history that he added to equally as much as it added to him. Today Jim will not be physically at his beloved track, but I can't imagine that his spirit will be far away. History offers us awards to mark the passage of time, records to signify our achievements, but Jim was beyond that. Jim will be remembered as much as history itself. Jim's life will stand to remind us that one year in a life lived for something great can define every year that follows. Our time is finite, but our legacy can live forever. Jim's love of life is an example to us all, touching greatness, however brief or protracted, will spawn hope, happiness and contentment...what more is there?
So today as the announcer at Belmont says those famous words, "and there off," we know you are there Jim, yesterday, today and forever.
The following short quote from Jim, says more about the man than volumes of words could ever say and pays tribute to the man who ran with greatness, Jim Gaffney.
"I was just one of the spokes of the wheel that had helped Secretariat on his path to greatness and immortality. Any good trainer, exercise rider, groom, or jockey could have done what we did. It was SECRETARIAT that did it, we just pointed his head and he would do it from there... It was a beautiful ride....
Sincerely, Jim Gaffney"
A wonderful ride indeed Jim, and all of those who adored you in life will miss you dearly, but your legacy...Will be forever nurtured and celebrated.
PM
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