Secretariat: From Track to Movie to Gift Baskets

When "Secretariat" charged into theaters it brought a larger than life equine superhero to a new generation. It also brings a gift basket idea to the horse lover on your Christmas list.

This is a perfect year for the sport of horse racing and fans to celebrate with a variety of items starting with the movie as a center. There are two ways you can present a basket starting with the "Secretariat" movie - on the legend himself or on the colorful characters in the sport.

For the latter you might include a present day superstar, Zenyatta, in a commemorative magazine or the perfect thing to snuggle under, an afghan cover with Zenyatta. Both of these are still under $60. Add to it an advanced order for the DVD "Secretariat" movie tickets, the book "Secretariat: The Making of a Champion" by William Nack and the movies "Pharlap" and "Seabiscuit" for a racing basket that will keep the recipient in horse heaven. Other ideas - for the 'real life'

An alternate gift basket could be just Secretariat based, with the DVD movie, book, an 8x10 photograph and a Breyer model of the champion.

Another gift box could center with Secretariat, but going the direction of the Triple Crown, with "The Most Glorious Crown" book touching not only on Secretariat but also the other rare individuals who made up racing's history. Interesting reading for cold nights is also found for Seattle Slew and Affirmed, as well as the legends of Citation and Whirlaway. A relative few have managed to win the Triple Crown, and it was 25 years between Citation and Secretariat - with longer than that since Affirmed did it. Many have been close and have captured the hearts of fans, but it is a very difficult accomplishment that some have made look easy.

For those with more disposable income and room a descendant of Secretariat could be a living legacy - with many that lack his desire to win but are no less charismatic in other ways. If you lack the facilities perhaps a donation to one of the organizations that exists to help retired race horses could be made as a gift. Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Home provided a last home for Secretariat's son Academy Award, who unfortunately was lost to the same disease that claimed Secretariat. Another bears Secretariat's name - the Maker's Mark Secretariat Center takes horses off the track and hands on provides for them and retrains them for a new career. Both of these organizations would benefit from an outpouring of love and dollars from Secretariat fans old and new.

Secretariat lived and died as a champion. His story is larger than life and those who saw him run get the same feelings seeing the replay all these years later, even on a re-creation on the big screen. A handmade "Secretariat" gift basket is a great gift to the fan of a champion.