Seattle Slew vs Secretariat: A Side-by-Side Analysis of Two Triple Crown Legends

In the long and storied history of Triple Crown winners, two horses stand out for their awe-inspiring accomplishments – Seattle Slew in 1977, and the legendary Secretariat in 1973. Their historic campaigns electrified fans and cemented their places among the all-time greats. But how exactly do these two titans and Triple Crown winners compare when stacked side-by-side? Let‘s break down their origins, racing careers, breeding, and the lasting marks they left on horse racing.

From Obscure Beginnings to Greatness

Both Slew and Secretariat came from rather humble origins, as even the sharpest talent scouts can fail to predict a champion racehorse early on.

Seattle Slew was foaled in 1974 in Kentucky. His sire was Bold Reasoning and his dam was My Charmer. As a yearling, Seattle Slew was purchased for just $17,500 at auction by Mickey and Karen Taylor and delivered to trainer Billy Turner. Though his modest price didn‘t reflect it, he possessed dazzling speed.

Secretariat was foaled in 1970 at Meadow Farm in Virginia. His sire was Bold Ruler and his dam was Somethingroyal. As a young foal, Secretariat was described as clumsy and overweight. Owner Penny Chenery offered to sell him, but there were no buyers. Under trainer Lucien Laurin, however, Secretariat fulfilled his potential.

Both horses matured into incredibly fast and powerful horses competing in the Triple Crown races of 1977 and 1973, respectively. Let‘s compare their epic journeys.

Triple Crown Showdowns

In 1977, Seattle Slew entered the Kentucky Derby undefeated at 6-0. He went off as a heavy favorite and didn‘t disappoint, wiring the field to win by 1 3/4 lengths. Two weeks later, he followed up in the Preakness Stakes, recovering from a poor start to defeat runner-up Iron Constitution by 1 1/2 lengths.

Then at the Belmont Stakes, Seattle Slew dueled with Run Dusty Run before pulling away to win by 4 lengths and complete the coveted Triple Crown, finishing with an undefeated 9-0 record. Seattle Slew remains the only undefeated Triple Crown champion in history – a stellar achievement.

Kentucky Derby

• Seattle Slew: 1st Place – Winning Time: 2:02 1/5

Preakness Stakes

• Seattle Slew: 1st Place – Winning Time: 1:54 2/5

Belmont Stakes

• Seattle Slew: 1st Place – Winning Time: 2:29 3/5

Just four years prior in 1973, Secretariat captured the imagination of the racing world with his dominant Triple Crown campaign. He started off with a win in the Kentucky Derby, setting a new track record that still stands at 1:59 2/5.

At the Preakness Stakes, Secretariat‘s performance was one for the ages. He exploded from the gates and opened up a lead of two lengths after just 200 yards. In one of the most memorable moments in racing history, Secretariat pulled away down the homestretch to an astonishing 31-length victory, with a record time of 1:53 flat that remains the Preakness standard.

But it was the Belmont Stakes that cemented Secretariat‘s legend. In a vast understatement, he won in lopsided fashion, crossing the finish line an eye-rubbing 31 lengths ahead of the competition. Even more jaw-dropping was his time of 2:24, which demolished the previous track record by a full 2 seconds and still stands as the world record on dirt. Simply put, it was an achievement for the ages.

Kentucky Derby

• Secretariat: 1st Place – Winning Time: 1:59 2/5 (Track Record)

Preakness Stakes

• Secretariat: 1st Place – Winning Time: 1:53 flat (Stakes Record)

Belmont Stakes

• Secretariat: 1st Place – Winning Time: 2:24 flat (World Record on Dirt)

Below is a side-by-side look at each horse‘s times in their respective Triple Crown races compared to each other.

| Seattle Slew | Secretariat |
|-|-|-|
| Kentucky Derby | 2:02 1/5 | 1:59 2/5 |
| Preakness Stakes | 1:54 2/5 | 1:53 flat |
| Belmont Stakes | 2:29 3/5 | 2:24 flat |

The raw speed figures paint a decisive picture. Secretariat‘s times were superior in all three Triple Crown races, and miles ahead of any other horse at the Belmont. Seattle Slew deserves endless credit for his undefeated 9-0 line and courageous Triple Crown. But in terms of raw speed, Secretariat dominated in historic fashion.

Other Notable Races

Both Slew and Secretariat boasted success beyond just the Triple Crown as well.

After winning the Triple Crown, Seattle Slew went on to defeat Triple Crown winner Affirmed in the 1978 Marlboro Cup Invitational Handicap. Other major wins included the 1977 Swaps Stakes, where Slew set a new stakes record.

Secretariat‘s success extended far beyond his Triple Crown campaign too. As a two-year old in 1972, he won the Laurel Futurity and the Garden State Stakes. The following year he dominated again, highlighted by wins in the Gotham Stakes, Bay Shore Stakes, and the Marlboro Cup Invitational Handicap – considered one of the premier races in the country.

Head-to-Head Showdown

The sole matchup between Seattle Slew and Secretariat took place on March 14, 1982 in the Grade 1 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park. Seattle Slew, then a 4 year old, defeated 7 year old Secretariat by three lengths to win the $194,000 prize. While Slew deserves full credit for beating his fellow Triple Crown winner head-to-head, it must be noted that Secretariat was past his prime at age 7. Most experts agree that Secretariat was no longer at the peak of his powers, so this match-up is far from the final word on which horse was superior overall.

Breeding and Bloodlines

Both Seattle Slew and Secretariat descended from excellent bloodlines that helped enable their championship careers. However, the two legends were not directly related.

Seattle Slew was sired by the very speedy Bold Reasoning, whose own sire was the renowned Bold Ruler – the grandfather of Secretariat. Seattle Slew‘s dam was My Charmer, an outstanding broodmare who also produced notable stakes winner Seattle Song.

Secretariat traced his pedigree back to Bold Ruler as well, being Bold Ruler‘s son. His damsire was Princequillo, an Irish-bred champion. On his dam‘s side, Secretariat descended from the great American foundation sire Man o‘ War.

So while Seattle Slew and Secretariat were not directly related, they both carried the genes of racing royalty in their blood.

Stud Careers After Racing

Following his Triple Crown, Seattle Slew retired from racing after his 4 year old season. At stud, he proved to be a highly successful sire. His over 120 stakes-winning foals earned him the title of leading sire in North America in 1984. Seattle Slew‘s most famous progeny was A.P. Indy, winner of the 1992 Belmont Stakes and Horse of the Year.

Secretariat had a short career at stud, as he was plagued by fertility issues and syndicated for breeding rights. However, he did sire several notable stakes winners like Risen Star, General Assembly, and Canadian Bound. His most acclaimed son was Lady‘s Secret, who was voted Horse of the Year in 1986.

So while Seattle Slew outpaced Secretariat in breeding success, largely due to longevity, Secretariat still passed down speed and talent through his limited progeny.

Lasting Legacies

Both Seattle Slew and Secretariat left indelible marks on Thoroughbred racing and popular culture that endure to this day.

Seattle Slew‘s rags-to-riches story as an inexpensive yearling who rose to Triple Crown glory made him a fan favorite. His races were described as "Slewmanias" due to the excitement surrounding him. Seattle Slew‘s limited memorabilia like posters and models remain prized collector‘s items.

Yet Secretariat‘s legacy reached an even greater magnitude. Rarely has an athlete captured the public‘s imagination like Big Red. He landed on the covers of Time Magazine, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated in 1973. Over several decades, Secretariat became engrained in mainstream culture through art, books, documentaries, and even a Disney movie. His speed records may never be touched, and his Belmont run remains the gold standard in horse racing lore. Statues and memorials commemorate his glory.

Both legends stay immortalized in the annals of horse racing as two of the greatest to ever run the Triple Crown. But Secretariat maintains just the slightest edge in overall cultural legacy and fame. His story and records are woven into the fabric of sports history.

Final Verdict: Secretariat Rules Supreme

While the comparisons between Secretariat and Seattle Slew are endlessly intriguing, the raw evidence points to Secretariat as the stand-out when naming the greatest Triple Crown winner ever.

His speed records, including a dirt world record in the Belmont that outpaced Seattle Slew by 15 seconds, are simply on another level. His rival may have been undefeated, but Secretariat achieved what was essentially impossible – times that no other Triple Crown winner could even fathom. Watching Secretariat‘s 31-length Belmont victory remains one of those "I remember where I was" sports moments.

That‘s not to discount Seattle Slew‘s own Triple Crown and unwavering determination as a competitor. Slew deserves nothing but respect and admiration for his career accomplishments. But for setting benchmarks that may stand forever, Secretariat has a slight edge as the greatest Triple Crown winner to date. Both legends pushed the boundaries of equine potential to new heights.

At the end of the day, fans win when celebrating the careers of both phenomenal horses. Seattle Slew and Secretariat proved what dedicated owners, trainers, jockeys, breeding, raw talent, and hard work could achieve together. The names Seattle Slew and Secretariat will be forever linked as two of the most transcendent Triple Crown winners ever. Their races and records continue to inspire new generations of racing fans and participants.