Running From Within

A Moment, a Man, And a Miracle

By Paul McFee

On March 30th
1968 a bright red
colt was born to
parents literally
chosen by the toss
of a coin. The colt
was born to
Somethingroyal,
and stallion, Bold
Ruler.
Bold Ruler was
considered one of
the most
significant
stallions of his
time. He was
known to have
both the speed to
be a frontrunner,
and the stamina to run 1 1/4 mile tracks.

The colt, a red chestnut horse with three white socks and a star with a narrow
blaze was named Secretariat, a name that would not only set the standard for
horse racing, but a name that touched the world and demonstrated almost
supernatural possibilities. Secretariat showed exceptional greatness within the
first two years of life, winning the 1972 American Horse of the Year honors, a
record for a two year-old that was only repeated once since, in 1977.

July 4th, 1936, another great champion first

fell in love with horses after he sat atop a horse
in Powell, Ohio. The man's name was James
Gaffney. That summer day would begin a life-
long love affair with horses and horse racing.
A smile from a young child's face would hint
of a future life defining passion and remain in
the minds of everyone that ever met Jim
Gaffney.
April 1972, Jimmy Gaffney's life intersected by chance with the often-doubted
racehorse Secretariat. Jim had worked with racehorses for most of his life, but
when he first met Secretariat, Jim saw something different. Jim was quoted as
saying:

"I had been on race horses almost all of my adult life and when I
stepped up on Secretariat the first time in April, 1972. I had this big
red machine under me and from that very first day I knew he had
had a power of strength that I have never felt from a two year-old
horse before. The very first time Lucien Laurin told me to work him a
quarter mile the April morning at Belmont Park, I told him that he
would be RUNNING REALLY FAST and he said so let him. I went a
quarter in 21 seconds and I believe that Lucien realized at that time
we had a racehorse on our hands."

Jim was one of two men entrusted with exercising the champion Secretariat
every morning and did his job with the same passion that defined his life. A coin
toss decided the birth of Secretariat and fate introduced the champion to a man
who would contribute equal greatness to Secretariat and to those who loved him.

1973 Secretariat wins the famed Kentucky Derby by 2 1/2 lengths, setting a track
record of 1 minute 59 seconds, a record that stood for the next 28 years. Each 1/4
mile segment of the race was successively faster than the last, demonstrating that
Secretariat was accelerating even through the last 1/4 mile. The win was epic.

1973 Secretariat runs the

Preakness Stakes and again,
comes from behind and is never
challenged, winning by 2 1/2
lengths. The champion racer was
now on the cover of
Time magazine and center stage
in the public consciousness that
was being challenged at the time,
by events such as U.S. troops
being withdrawn from Vietnam,
oil prices increasing by 200%,
100,000 unemployed workers laid
off from U.S. car makers, Roe v.
Wade trial and an ever deepening
recession...but for that frozen moment in time, America had something to be
hopeful for. The hope was that this young horse, a horse that was counted out in
the past, could win the coveted Triple Crown in the upcoming race at the
Belmont Stakes.
1973 Belmont Stakes, Secretariat runs in front of 67, 605 eager spectators and
opens not from behind the pack, but setting a fast pace, challenged only by a
horse named Sham. Secretariat and Sham run 10 lengths ahead of any other
horse. After 6 furlongs, Sham begins to tire and fades into the pack, finishing
last. Secretariat however, runs even faster, finishing 31 lengths ahead of the
other horses and not only wins the race, but sets the record for the fastest time of
any horse in a 1 1/2 mile track, 2 minutes and 24 seconds. The record time
continues to stand today.

Many knowledgeable horseracing fans cursed Ron Turcotte, Secretariat’s rider,

for running the horse at such a reckless speed. They felt sure that the horse
would run out of steam, lose or even die in the process. Turcotte would later say
that the pace was beyond his control and Secretariat just wanted to run. Many
more felt that Turcotte would be harmed traveling at such high-speed. The
picture below shows a curious Turcotte as he tried to look behind him. He later
said, “Looking back momentarily I became even more scared and turned back
around.” Spectators said they would not have been surprised if Secretariat took
to flight like Pegasus. Most wept openly at the vision of the rare moment of
perfection in an otherwise imperfect world and time.

Many winning ticket

holders never turn in
their tickets, choosing
instead to hold on to
them as souvenirs
and a memory of that
magical day at
Belmont
Racetrack, when
Secretariat, won the
coveted Triple Crown,
reassuring us that
even in challenging
times events can
occur that
demonstrate
greatness.

On October 4th, 1989, Secretariat lost his earthly race that all living things run,
but he left us with a legacy that inspires still today. His name will be forever
linked to a championship year when he drew our attention away from World
events, even for a few minutes. Secretariat's championship year inspired us,
gave us reason to look at our own lives with promise and hope, and made us
smile and even cry, but most of all to run from within.
On the morning of June
3rd, 2010, Jim Gaffney also
left us with a legacy that
will stand for all time. Jim
Gaffney had many
accomplishments, loving
Husband, dedicated Father
and Grandfather, friend to
everyone he ever met. I am
proud to say that I had the
good fortune of getting to
know Jim over the last
seven years. His passion
and happiness was always
evident in his quick smile
and warm easy laugh. Jim
was a very unique man.
His life was forever touched by his brief time with history and I know we were all
touched by the greatness and hope that we saw in James Gaffney.

On the weekend of May 29th 2010

Jim Gaffney attended an event at
the Belmont racetrack with his son
Jim. Even through his weakened
state, he excitedly talked racing
with fans, took pictures and signed
autographs, all the while with his
signature warm smile. Jim was
able to meet one of Secretariat's
offspring and for a moment he was
joined with the history that made
him so passionate during his life.
The moment, the man and the
memories were palpable. Jim’s
son Jim Gaffney said, “here is a
picture of Dad with Secretariats
grandson "bulls n blood" one of
the horses picked to play in movie,
the day before he passed away. It
was taken at the northeast equine
festival at Belmont racetrack
where 37 years ago he rode the
“big horse” every morning around
the same track and where he set
the Belmont track record.” There is something magical about the past and
present intersecting in such a powerful way. It serves to remind us all that we are
here for such a short time, but can affect so very much if we try. Jim worked with
Secretariat for a little over a year, but it was the year that the name Secretariat
captured our hearts, instilled hope and demonstrated the courage we all needed
in a conflict worn Country. Jim's life was one of those rare occasions when
someone has touched their passion and are forever changed, and through their
experience, they forever change us. He lived a rich and full life and his full life
inspires us to hope for a brush with greatness, even a momentary brush with
hope. A moment that occurs even by chance that can change us forever.

Secretariat is remembered as a horse that loved to run, a horse that not only
came from behind, but that ran faster and harder than any other horse.
Secretariat was a horse that was clearly motivated by the joy of running the race
from within. Jim Gaffney also found his joy and passion for life from within and
loved to smile and make others smile. His passionate view of life and continuous
optimism inspired others
to run the best race
possible.

June 5th, 2010: The

142nd running of the
Belmont Stakes started
just a few hours after
funeral services for Mr.
Jim Gaffney concluded.
The race he loved, the
track at which he
celebrated the win of
Secretariat, the history
that he added to equally
as much as it added to
him. Today Jim will not
be physically at his
beloved track, but I can't
imagine that his spirit
will be far away. History
offers us awards to mark the passage of time, records to signify our achievements,
but Jim was beyond that. Jim will be remembered as much as history itself.
Jim's life will stand to remind us that one year in a life lived for something great
can define every year that follows. Our time is finite, but our legacy will live
forever. Jim's love of life is an example to us all. Touching greatness, however
brief or protracted, will spawn hope, happiness and contentment...what more is
there?
So today as the announcer at Belmont says those famous words, "and they’re
off," we know you are there Jim, yesterday, today and forever, and we know that
you celebrate our races, small and large, when run with passion.

The following short quote from Jim, says more about the man than volumes of
words could ever say and pays tribute to the man who ran with greatness, Jim
Gaffney.

"I was just one of the spokes of the wheel that had helped Secretariat
on his path to greatness and immortality. Any good trainer, exercise
rider, groom, or jockey could have done what we did. It was
SECRETARIAT that did it, we just pointed his head and he would do
it from there... It was a beautiful ride....

I feel honored and proud to have been a small part of his life
and miss him dearly. I guess animals have a way of growing on you
and he certainly did with me, and will always have a place in my
heart.

Sincerely, Jim Gaffney"

A wonderful ride indeed Jim, and all of those who adored you in life will miss you
dearly, but your legacy...Will be forever celebrated and will forever remind us of
the moment, the man and the miracle.