Disney's Secretariat: Thoroughbred Collectibles

By Jen Smith
October 8, 2010

Secretariat Real Life

The Belmont Stakes, Secretariat owner Helen Chenery Tweedy (Photo by Jerry Cooke/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images); Arlington Invitational, Ron Turcotte aboard Secretariat (Photo by Heinz Kluetmeier/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)

Disney loves to tell the underdog tale. This time, it's the legendary true story of Secretariat, the thoroughbred horse who, against all odds, won the Triple Crown in 1973 and who many consider to be the greatest racehorse of all time. In the movie, which opens today, housewife and mother Penny Tweedy Chenery (played by Diane Lane) takes over her elderly father’s stables out of duty and necessity when he becomes ill. Despite her limited knowledge of horse-racing, a determined and stubborn Chenery aligns herself with veteran horse trainer Lucien Laurin (played by John Malkovich) and manages to steer herself through the male–dominated world of thoroughbred racing. Against all odds, Chenery and her team groom the first horse in 25 years to win the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, all within a five week stretch.

Secretariat Movie Stills

Diane Lane stars as Penny Chenery (Photo by John Bramley); Diane Lane, John Malkovich, Dylan Baker, Nelsan Ellis and Otto Thorwarth (Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures)

Tales about animals and their humans—especially true ones—are always winning combinations. And it's not just the Oscar buzz surrounding the movie that is pointing to a Blockbuster: When we compared listings on eBay with the search term "Secretariat" in a recent week vs. a week-long period approximately a year ago, we noticed that listings had doubled, sales had increased six-fold, and the average item price had risen from $27.41 to $63.41. Recently, a rare $2 Win Ticket from the Kentucky Derby sold for a reported $4900 and a vintage 1973 Secretariat collectible sold for a reported $999.99.

Among the 1,000+ listings with the term "Secretariat" today are endless authentic and vintage Secretariat keepsakes that will continue to tell the Secretariat story. See the links below for some horsey inspiration.

Roll over items for details

Leroy Neiman Great Secretariat Thoroughbred Big Red Serigraph

(buy it now price, $2950)

New 2006 Churchill Ladies Day Baby Secretariat Glass

(buy it now price, $7.95)

New Straw Plaid Fedora

(buy it now price, $14.99)

Vintage Selsi Lightweight Binoculars & Case

(buy it now price, $12.00)

Vintage Estate Secretariat Triple Crown Horse Roses Pin

(starting bid, $10.49)

New York Times, May 6, 1973: Secretariat Wins Derby Art Print

(buy it now price, $49.99)

Sports Illustrated "Secretariat 1973 Wins Triple Crown!"

(buy it now price, $18.93)

New in Box Prada Square Toe Heel with Ankle Strap

(buy it now price, $450)

Secretariat Photo Signed by Penny Chenery

(starting bid, $199)

New Loewe White Cotton and Leather Trench Coat Jacket

(buy it now price, $1250)

Breyer Race Horse Champion Secretariat

(buy it now price, $35.99)

Disney's Secretariat: Thoroughbred Collectibles

1. The ultimate '70s sports artist's depiction of the ultimate athlete of the century is the ultimate treasure to score on eBay.

2. After winning the Triple Crown, Secretariat went on to father 653 foals. Whoa! Cute commemorative glass.

3. There is something super romantic about viewing the races in the grandstand with well-made, old school binoculars.

4. Ever ladylike and elegant, Penny Tweedy would surely be sporting these designer square toes if she were in the spotlight today.

5. Horse trainer Lucien Lauren, played by John Malkovich, apparently favored loud hats with a pronounced '70s fashion flair.

6. Like the proverbial carrot before the horse, sometimes all it takes is a reminder of greatness to move a person. This beautifully wrought statue of Big Red in all his glory will be loved by the child collector as well as the adult.

7. Chenery’s Tricia Nixon-style white double knit coat can be interpreted today with this rather retro, equestrian-inspired cotton and leather trimmed trench.

8. The news of Secretariat winning the Triple Crown inspired the imagination of America. This snapshot says it all.

9. Three autographs on a very famous image of Big Red (Secretariat's nickname) in his prime is an auction worth striving for the winning bet.

10. Penny Tweedy adorned her classic jackets with a shiny horse brooch both in the film and in real life.

11. A newsprint snapshot of one of the greatest sports athletes ever known says it all.

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