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Saving Stories

From true skeptic to true believer: Penny Chenery and the horse for the ages

Published May 4, 2023 at 11:06 AM EDT
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Penny Chenery, owner of Secretariat, hugs jockey Ron Turcotte in Winner's Circle at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 5, 1973 after Turcotte rode Secretariat to a record win in the 99th Kentucky Derby. Lucien Laurin, Secretariat's trainer (behind Ms. Chenery), and Eddie Sweat, groom (behind Secretariat), share the happy moment. (AP Photo)
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AP
Penny Chenery, owner of Secretariat, hugs jockey Ron Turcotte in Winner's Circle at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 5, 1973 after Turcotte rode Secretariat to a record win in the 99th Kentucky Derby. Lucien Laurin, Secretariat's trainer (behind Ms. Chenery), and Eddie Sweat, groom (behind Secretariat), share the happy moment. (AP Photo)

WUKY’s award-winning history series Saving Stories celebrates the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s Kentucky Derby triumph. Nunn Center for Oral History director Doug Boyd shares audio from a 2007 interview with owner Penny Chenery conducted by Kim Lady Smith in which she talks about how the legendary champion eventually captured her heart while captivating the sporting world in 1973.

The entire interview with Penny Chenery can be accessed below:

https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt7stq5rbt61

Tags
Saving Stories Kentucky DerbyThoroughbred RacingSecretariat Festival