With Sunday’s sad news of the passing of Penny Chenery of Secretariat fame, tributes poured in from industry leaders and racing fans alike.
Alex Waldrop, President and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, released the following statement:
Whether as the owner of Secretariat, the brilliant Triple Crown Champion she campaigned nearly a half-century ago, or as a leader and ambassador for the sport she loved, Penny Chenery led an extraordinary life that touched Thoroughbred racing fans and others in a unique and personal way. Thankfully, her legacy will live on for many generations to come.
Breeders’ Cup Ltd. chimed in:
Penny Chenery made an indelible impact on the world of Thoroughbred racing, as an owner, industry leader and a grand ambassador of our sport for nearly half a century. Secretariat’s conquest of the Triple Crown in 1973 captivated an entire nation, as millions of Americans shared with her the great joy and celebration of Secretariat’s 31-length victory in the Belmont Stakes, while Penny displayed remarkable sprit, grace and class through it all.
Just as important, we recall her tremendous devotion and contributions to the racing industry, breaking barriers as she became the first female president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders’ Association, the first president of the Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation, one of the founders of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, and supported charitable causes through the Secretariat Foundation. Most of all, we miss Penny’s great warmth and dignity, as we extend our deepest sympathies to her family and loved ones.
Much like Secretariat, Penny Chenery will always be remembered for her big heart, tremendous strides, and proclivity to overcome all odds. pic.twitter.com/K2CeiiSroN
— Claiborne Farm (@claibornefarm) September 17, 2017
Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack, where Secretariat’s time of 1:59 2/5 in the 1973 Kentucky Derby remains the 1 1/4-mile track record:
Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby family join all in Thoroughbred racing in mourning the passing of Penny Chenery. Fans embraced her as the owner of Secretariat, her legendary Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown winner and American sports icon, along with her ongoing role as the protector of his legacy and lifelong supporter of causes that promote the health and welfare of retired Thoroughbreds. We at Churchill Downs also fondly recall her 1972 Kentucky Derby victory with Riva Ridge and other occasions when horses carried her famed blue-and-white blocked silks in races beneath our Twin Spires.
Mrs. Chenery’s wonderful life had a deep and lasting impact on all in Thoroughbred racing and to countless individuals beyond our industry. If anyone ever deserved the title “First Lady of American Racing,” it was Penny Chenery, and our thoughts are with her family, friends and all who loved her.
We are saddened to learn the First Lady of racing, Penny Chenery, has passed away. A friend to the Museum & a shining star is gone. RIP. pic.twitter.com/faZPhtoHQ0
— KY Derby Museum (@derbymuseum) September 17, 2017
Chris Kay, President and CEO of the New York Racing Association, whose Belmont Park was the scene of Secretariat’s amazing 31-length romp in the Belmont in a record 2:24:
Penny Chenery was a true pioneer in our sport and, on behalf of the women and men of the New York Racing Association, we mourn her loss and offer our condolences to the Chenery family.
Belmont Park is where champions are crowned and there was no greater champion for women in racing than Penny Chenery. We look forward to honoring her memory and celebrating the life and legacy of a woman so important to the fabric of racing in New York.
— NYRA (@TheNYRA) September 17, 2017
Sad to hear of the passing of Penny Chenery. Will never forget meeting her the night before American Pharoah won the Triple Crown. @TheNYRA
— Larry Collmus (@larrycollmus) September 17, 2017
Keeneland joins the community in mourning the loss of Penny Chenery. One of the most beloved ambassadors of our sport. pic.twitter.com/5F7xwxWy6U
— Keeneland (@keeneland) September 17, 2017
Penny Chenery once said that Secretariat was a cherished friend. To Lexington and the Thoroughbred industry, Penny was that friend.
— Mayor Jim Gray (@JimGrayLexKY) September 17, 2017
PDJF sends condolences to family and friends of Penny Chenery, good friend to the PDJF & First Lady of racing. @SECRETARIATofcl
— PDJF (@PDJFund) September 17, 2017
Sending our condolences to the Chenery family today. She was a driving force behind the creation of TRF. https://t.co/BaZstp8odQ
— TRFinc (@trfinc) September 17, 2017
Our deepest condolences to Chenery, Tweedy & @SECRETARIATofcl family. Michael: “Penny one of first to go to bat for OF over & over again”.
— Old Friends (@Oldfriendsfarm) September 17, 2017
We’re so saddened to hear of the passing of Penny Chenery. There was no bigger fan of the Thoroughbred. https://t.co/vjg2SNbWnv
— RRP (@RRP_TBMakeover) September 17, 2017
Every time I was around Secretariat’s owner Penny Chenery, I was amazed by her natural beauty, kind spirit, and class. A role model for all
— Jeannine Edwards (@jeanninee12) September 17, 2017
Penny Chenery has gone, but like Secretariat, carved unparalleled legacy. @DRFPrivman w/ links to previous features: https://t.co/7A7ZYR3GtD pic.twitter.com/fuvLyfRrho
— Steve Byk (@Steve_Byk) September 17, 2017
Thank you Penny Chenery for all you have done for our sport.
— TwinSpires.com (@TwinSpires) September 17, 2017
Penny Chenery was the first woman I saw as a role model in the racing industry so her passing is definitley heart breaking news.
— leah england (@LeahEngland8) September 17, 2017
Sad to hear about Penny Chenery. Among the kindest and encouraging of those who wanted a career in racing, frontside or backside. #RIP
— John Siscos (@JSiscos_WOMoh) September 17, 2017
We are so sad to learn of Penny Chenery’s passing. An icon of the sport, Penny was what every thoroughbred owner aspires to be in racing.
— Donegal Racing (@DonegalRacing) September 17, 2017
Several of our team met Penny Chenery before the 2010 Derby with Paddy O’Prado. Encouraging, incisive, sharp-witted–we will not forget her!
— Donegal Racing (@DonegalRacing) September 17, 2017
RIP Penny Chenery. You were a pioneer and leader of our industry. Thank you for everything you did for US racing
— Tom Morley (@morley_racing) September 17, 2017
Racing has lost a great friend and a wonderful ambassador. RIP Penny Chenery 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/BrALm4UVWt
— HRRN (@HRRN) September 17, 2017
Very sad to hear of the passing of Penny Chenery. She was a true role model whose legacy will live on. Thoughts out to those closest to her.
— America’sBestRacing (@ABRLive) September 17, 2017
Sad day for racing with the passing of Penny Chenery. She was a one-of-a-kind woman whose horses gave us so many unforgettable moments. #RIP
— Bob Ehalt (@BobEhalt) September 17, 2017
We lost a legend in the game this weekend. Rest in Peace, Penny Chenery.https://t.co/g8nWOC1534 pic.twitter.com/xUO6xznP9y
— Horse Racing Nation (@HR_Nation) September 17, 2017
Sad to hear of the death of Penny Chenery. Met her the year the movie “Secretariat” came out. She lived to see PIM right the ’73 wrong. #RIP
— Ron Flatter (@ronflatter) September 17, 2017
Condolences to family of Penny Chenery. Her contributions to the racing industry go well-beyond the great horses she brought to the track.
— Jessie Oswald (@JBOswald68) September 17, 2017
Rest in Peace, Penny Chenery. Thank you for bringing us Secretariat and making me a horse racing fan forever! You will be missed! pic.twitter.com/ftOzWSWSnQ
— Matt Shifman (@AndyScoggin) September 17, 2017
Many Triple Crown winners were KY-bred, but there was only one VA-bred Secretariat. Thanks for the memories, Mrs. Chenery.
— KY Tbred Assoc./KTOB (@KYTbred) September 17, 2017
RIP Penny Chenery. Secretariat’s owner was the epitome of class and grace. pic.twitter.com/BYGZseBzA9
— Ray Paulick (@raypaulick) September 17, 2017
Condolences to Penny Chenery’s family. She was a rockstar for the sport.
— Melissa Bauer-Herzog (@mbauerherzog) September 17, 2017
A moment to treasure. RIP Penny Chenery, you will be missed. https://t.co/xr2xVM9gnl
— Jodie Vella-Gregory (@blugrasschatter) September 17, 2017
Rest in Peace, Penny Chenery … Thank you for everything you did for racing.
— Brian Zipse (@Zipseatthetrack) September 17, 2017
I have a message from Penny Chenery saved on my landline voicemail–which is one reason I’ll probably never get rid of my landline
— Teresa Genaro (@BklynBckstretch) September 17, 2017
what a sad day in racing. you will be missed by so many Penny Chenery. thank you for believing in Sec & Riva.
— Kaitlin Free (@kaitlinefree) September 17, 2017
RIP Penny Chenery. The sport lost a true great today. pic.twitter.com/Z7GwQh8834
— derbydannyk (@derbydannyk) September 17, 2017
Not long after I moved to Lexington, found myself walking past Penny Chenery in a virtually deserted Winn Dixie…. (1/2)
— Vance Hanson (@VPHanson) September 17, 2017
Too surprised and awestruck to say hello. Obviously wish I had, but happy to have had stood near her once. RIP and thanks. (2/2)
— Vance Hanson (@VPHanson) September 17, 2017
Hope @nmrhof names Penny Chenery “Pillar of the Turf” – can tweet count as formal petition? Wd be breakthrough as first woman so honored. https://t.co/LnRykfzILQ
— Kellie Reilly (@GallantFox1930) September 17, 2017
The last word belongs to the longtime racing scribe with a Twitter moniker recalling Secretariat’s nearest pursuer in two-thirds of the Triple Crown:
Sad news: Penny Chenery, who bred and raced the great Secretariat, has died at 95. Great ambassador for the sport. She’ll be missed.
— Art Wilson (@Sham73) September 17, 2017
Ms Chenery was as special as her Beautiful horse.
Never knew the lovely lady but have watch the movie Seretariat many times, being a horse lover. Her “Determination” was awe inspiring, she was a very special lady and of course loved her “Very special horse”.Rest in peace Sweet Lady and meet up with Big Red again.