Secretariat's image has been used to benefit non-profit groups since at least 1995, when the Secretariat Fund was created within the Grayson-Jockey Club Foundation to benefit laminitis research. At one point, Secretariat's image was licensed to CWG, a firm out of Indianapolis.
Big Red now has a Web site all his own. Commemorative Derby Promotions and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association have launched Secretariat.com, where fans can learn about the 1973 Triple Crown winner and buy licensed merchandise bearing his name and image. Profits will benefit the Secretariat Bronze Fund, an effort headed by Penny Chenery to build a life-size bronze statue in honor of the great horse at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington. "Sharing in Secretariat's legend has been one of the great honors of my life," Chenery said in a release. "I am pleased that the power of his name can now do so much good for Thoroughbred racing by educating fans about valuable industry charities, assisting these groups by raising needed funds and creating further awareness of this beautiful sport."Among the first items offered is Secretariat apparel by ROOTS(tm), manufacturer of the clothing worn by the U.S. and Canadian teams at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Other items scheduled for release include a Secretariat video, an official poster, and a Secretariat bobblehead doll--the first such collectible to depict a racehorse. New items will be introduced regularly.