In a move that will excite both history aficionados and sports fans, Netflix has formally confirmed that a new original documentary about the great racehorse Secretariat will be released soon. The documentary, Secretariat: A Legend Like No Other, aims to provide a compelling and personal portrait of the 1973 Triple Crown champion whose name became a byword for grandeur, speed, and passion.
This week, Netflix made the announcement through its official channels, backed by a visually arresting poster of the renowned chestnut stallion wearing his recognisable blue-and-white checkered indicator hood. The tone for what the streaming behemoth refers to as “a cinematic celebration of one of the greatest athletes the world has ever known” is established by the tagline, “A Legend Like No Other.” The book will be released in late summer 2025, which coincides with the centennial of Secretariat’s spectacular victory at the Belmont Stakes.
In the early 1970s, Secretariat, who was frequently praised as the most dominant racehorse in American history, enthralled the country with his incredible feats. He still holds the world record after winning the Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths and clocking an incredible 2:24 for the 1.5-mile run. In addition to his sporting achievements, the new video explores the drama that goes on behind the scenes between his owner Penny Chenery, trainer Lucien Laurin, and jockey Ron Turcotte.
The documentary will include previously unreleased archive footage, recently discovered interviews, and unique commentary from people who were closest to the horse and his legacy, according to Netflix. Executive producer Lisa Hamilton Daly stated, “We wanted to go beyond the headlines and highlight the incredible team that brought Secretariat to the world stage.” “This is a tale of bravery, tenacity, and changing the course of history.”
James Whitaker, an Emmy-winning director renowned for his sports documentaries that combine compelling storytelling with unfiltered emotion, is directing the movie. In a press release, Whitaker cited Secretariat as “the Muhammad Ali of the racecourse — a force of nature who inspired generations and broke every mould” to convey his enthusiasm for the project. He made it clear that the movie will appeal to anybody who enjoys stories of unlikely success as well as fans of horse racing.
The cultural and economic climate of the 1970s, when horse racing was still a major part of American athletics, is another goal of Secretariat: A Legend Like No Other. Through in-depth recreations and first-person narratives, the documentary will explore how Secretariat’s legacy has influenced pop culture and the equestrian community, where his notoriety extended beyond the sport.
Fans and sports analysts have praised Netflix for bringing attention to one of the most amazing people in sports history, and social media responses to the announcement have been largely positive. One user on X (previously Twitter) commented, “It’s about time Secretariat got the documentary treatment he deserves.” Others pointed out that the streaming service has a solid history of producing stories around sports, including popular shows like Drive to Survive and The Last Dance.
The excitement is still growing as the debut is only a few months away. To go along with the debut, Netflix has teased exclusive screenings, more material, and interactive elements. Secretariat: A Legend Like No Other is positioned to be one of the year’s most anticipated documentary releases as the platform keeps making investments in gripping nonfiction stories. It pays homage to a horse whose name continues to reverberate through the history of athletic brilliance.
