ASHLAND, Va. — Folks gathered at the Reynolds Family Plaza in Ashland on Saturday to celebrate the legacy of the most famous racehorse in American history during the annual Secretariat Day.
The free event commemorates the birthday of Secretariat, affectionately known as “Big Red,” who was born on March 30, 1970. Festivities included a brand-new kickoff ceremony featuring the Ashland Dance Academy, live music, local food trucks, vendors, free cake and a free showing of the Disney movie “Secretariat.”
Leeanne Meadows Ladin, the president of the Secretariat for Virginia group, explained the deep local connection to the racing legend. Christopher Chenery, who founded Meadow Stable where Secretariat was born, grew up in Ashland and attended Randolph-Macon College…