How Secretariat is incredibly related to 19 of 20 horses in the Kentucky Derby field

In 1973, Secretariat won the Triple Crown, breaking the record time in each of the three races. 

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As those genes were passed on, so too were the horses’ winning ways. Last year, every last Kentucky Derby horse was a descendant of Secretariat, per the Louisville Courier Journal.

Secretariat is believed to have sired 663 foals registered foals in his lifetime, making his bloodline vast decades later. This year’s field is no different. 

Here is a list of which horses are related to the 1973 legend.

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Which Kentucky Derby horses are related to Secretariat?

Of the 20 horses this year, 19 are related to Secretariat, according to Secretariat.com. 

One horse year is equivalent to roughly 3 human years, meaning that, since Secretariat’s victory, about six generations of his offspring have entered the world.

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This has existed throughout the world of horse racing, with genes so impressive that many other winners have also been Secretariat descendants.

Nineteen of the 20 expected starters in the 2026 Kentucky Derby have Secretariat in their pedigree — yet another reminder of the continuing legacy of the 1973 Triple Crown winner.#KyDerby152 #RoyalBloodlines https://t.co/cEx2uFrgVM

— Secretariat (@Secretariatprmr) April 25, 2026

The one exception in this case is Emerging Market, a chestnut colt who holds a 2-for-2 record. Despite recovering from a recent case of pneumonia, this horse won the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby in March, according to the Louisville Courier Journal.

As fans observe the statue of Secretariat outside Churchill Downs, they can rest assured knowing that 95% of this year’s horses hold a unique relationship to that sensational stallion.

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