To honor the legacy of the Secretariat, promote the best in horse racing and honor the excellence of Thoroughbred athletes, the first Penny Chenery Award was presented to author/historian Leeanne Meadows Ladin of Montpelier, Va.
The awards ceremony was held on August 11 at Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent, Va., following the inaugural Penny Chenery Derby. Stephanie Nixon, chairwoman of the Virginia Horse Racing Commission, was honored with a call-out in the winner’s circle.
This new annual award, founded by Penny’s children, recognizes women who have demonstrated a lasting commitment to celebrating the achievements and legacies of Thoroughbred champions, for the benefit of the horse industry and public education.
The family notes that Leeanne has been a tireless promoter of Secretariat’s story in person and in print and online for nearly two decades. Co-author of the award-winning book, Secretariat’s Meadow, she has traveled the country to tell Secretariat’s story to fans nationwide with eloquence and passion. She created and ran the original tour at Meadow Event Park, formerly known as Meadow Stable, Secretariat’s birthplace. There, she narrated tours for visitors from around the world. She also cared for the star of the tour, Groundshaker, a great-granddaughter of Secretariat and the last racehorse bred by Penny Chenery.
Leeanne led the successful effort to have the original barn and foaling stables at the Meadow listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Register of Landmarks. She has dedicated and organized the annual Secretariat Birthday Party, held in Ashland or at the Meadow since 2007. She was a key member of the team that brought the Secretariat Racing Into History monument to Ashland, VA. As a prominent media liaison, she has helped generate extensive coverage of the Secretariat story at the local and national level. A sought-after speaker, Leeanne not only traces the history of Secretariat, but also Virginia’s formative role in American horse racing.
With her passion and knowledge, she has brought joy to fans across the country and inspired new generations of fans to love Secretariat. Leeanne’s tireless efforts have colored the Secretariat story and helped it shine in the hearts of fans everywhere.
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