Disney is holding a charity screening of its latest equine blockbuster “Secretariat”, to raise funds for a thoroughbred horse foundation of the same name.
“Secretariat” was the 1973 Triple Crown winner – taking the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes – despite being owned by a housewife and mother with no horseracing experience. Walt Disney Studios took the story to the big screen, filming at Churchill Downs – the home of the Kentucky Derby – and employing John Malkovic as seasoned trainer, Lucien Laurin.
Penny Chenery took over Meadow Stables from her father, when he became ill. Against all odds she took the greatest title in American horse racing and used that success to form an equine foundation which builds on the name of the 1973 champion horse. Secretariat set Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes records that still stand nearly 40 years on. The horse has also appeared on US Postal service stamps.
The Secretariat Foundation supports equine research, thoroughbred retirement and rehabilitation, therapeutic equestrianism and other equine charities. The benefit screening takes place on October 3rd 2010 at the Kentucky Theater in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. Tickets are $125 per person, including general admission to the screening and the cocktail reception afterwards at Portofino Restaurant.
