by Kelly McAninch

The Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame’s class of 2007 includes 1973 Triple Crown winner, Secretariat. The racehorse will be the first four-legged inductee.

As another first, the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame’s induction ceremony will be included among the Kentucky Derby Festival events. The ceremony, traditionally held in the fall, is scheduled for May 2 at the Galt House Hotel & Suites in Louisville three days before the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) at Churchill Downs.

Jim Ellis, president of the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame, said that Secretariat’s selection was only coincidental to the changes in the ceremony.

According to Ellis, Secretariat’s nomination was received with open arms.

“As [his name] went around the room, it was almost unanimous: this is a great idea,” said Ellis.

Secretariat rocked the sports world in the early 1970s. Foaled in Virginia in 1970, Secretariat earned the Horse of the Year title in both 1972 and ’73 and appeared on the cover of Newsweek, Sports Illustrated, and Time magazines.

The Hall of Fame decided to induct Secretariat because he “brought fame to the state of Kentucky,” the standard applied to all other inductees, said Ellis. Secretariat won the Derby in a track record 1:59.40.

The Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame supports Kosair Charities, a children’s medical charity. Net proceeds from the induction banquet will be given to Kosair.

Kelly McAninch is a Thoroughbred Times editorial intern