A groundbreaking ceremony was held at 11 AM on February 7th, ahead of the March 30th installation of the Secretariat statue in Ashland. But why Ashland? The answer goes back to the owner of Meadow Stables and Secretariat, Christopher Chenery. Chenery grew up in Ashland and attended Randolph-Macon. After amassing wealth in New York, Chenery bought Meadow Stables in 1936 with an enthusiasm for horse racing.