LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Two horse racing legends will be permanently honored in Lexington.
On Saturday morning, a bronze statue of Secretariat and jockey Ron Turcotte was unveiled on the grounds at Keeneland, after it made a long journey from Oklahoma.
Secretariat never raced in Lexington, but he's here to stay, thanks to Sculptor Jocelyn Russell.
She had plenty of help with the monument of the Triple Crown winner. She had input from several people who were familiar with the racehorse, like his vet and even Turcotte himself.
“To not do my due diligence and research, it would be a travesty. I really feel like it's my responsibility to this justice,” said Russell.
The statue is the largest ever rendering of Secretariat, standing more than 11-feet-tall and weighing around 3800 pounds.
While Ron wasn't able to be at the unveiling, his brother Gaetan was there.
“He's very proud of the job they did with it,” said Gaetan Turcotte.
The statue will be displayed in the middle of the roundabout at Old Frankfort Pike and Alexandria Drive. Gaetan says it's special to see people care so many years later.
“It’s forty-something years after, how can that be? But it's with the accomplishments that they had. Ron had such a great career with Secretariat, breaking all the records,” said Gaetan Turcotte.
The statue will be moved to its permanent location at the roundabout on Monday.
