‘Gods Boy, 31 - 2.24’
This sculpture is of Secretariat and Ron Turcotte. It is the first steel sculpture of Secretariat in the World.
It has taken 1360 hours to complete over 14 months. Secretariat is made up of 4608 mini galloping Secretariat silhouette mosaics, which have all individually been fitted by hand and welded. He took 1129 hours to complete.
Ron Turcotte is made up to include 581 individual mini Ron jockey silhouette mosaics, which again, were all individually hand fitted and welded. He took 231 hours to complete.
The body cage within the sculpture, is made up of over 1000 feet of round bar, which created both body frames. These were also shaped and welded by hand.
The entire sculpture celebrates Secretariat and Ron Turcotte incredible win at the Belmont Stakes in June of 1973, which secured the Triple Crown win by 31 lengths in a time of 2.24 - which is a record that still stands today.
The sculpture also commemorates Secretariats huge 21lb heart - within the sculptures chest on both sides, is a heart plate which houses red pulsating lights, which at night will shine through the mosaics.
This sculpture really looks like ‘steel jewellery’ to represent a horse in a million - he really was the “horse that God built”.
The sculpture of Ron Turcotte is nearing completion - he has mini Ron silhouette mosaics which make his legs.
All of the tack and Rons riding ware have all been built from steel.
The sculpture is build from exact measurements of Secretariat and measurements of the great USA Jockey, Jon Court, who is a very similar size to what Ron Turcotte was at the time.
The sculpture was completed by the end of May 2022.
The making of Secretariat.
It all begins with an idea.
Secretariat started off as a template being drawn on a sheet of steel. He was then put on supports, onto a base frame which has wheels to enable easy manoeuvrability.
His muscular frame was then built and welded.
With the help of a very dear friend, Justin Frank, a double sliding stem system was made so that Secretariat can be lifted off of his stand, should that be required. Justin also helped organise hanging the legs and look at how the head and neck of Secretariat can be lifted off, so the sculpture will be able to get through door ways.
Secretariat is 7ft 10 inches to the ears and stands on a 9 inch high stand. He is a full 16.2hh Secretariat.
Justin Frank has been the amazing supplier of the silhouettes and used his plasma cutter to cut every one out. Each of the 4608 silhouettes, which makes up Secretariat, has been individually shaped and welded by Nigel.
American Horse Publications unveiling interview.
This is an interview of Nigel Fennell by Diana De Rosa for Equus Television. It was taken after the unveiling of ‘Gods Boy, 31 - 2.24’ at the American Horse Publications Conference, at the Griffin Gate Marriott Hotel in Lexington.
https://equustelevision.com/watch/1442
The hope is that the sculpture will be galvanised dipped at some point, to prevent rusting inside and out and therefore preserve this extraordinary sculpture.
There was an unveiling at the American Horse Publications Conference in May at the Griffin Gate Marriott Hotel in Lexington.
Secretariat and Ron Turcotte returned to the Griffin Gate Hotel late summer and will spend Christmas and the New Year there!
Gods Boy 31 - 2.24, Secretariat sculpture will be for sale in the near future.
Credits
Justin Frank
Fellow farrier and very dear friend, who so kindly and generously cut all the silhouettes which have made up this magnificent sculpture
Jim Poor Another great farrier friend, who very kindly engraved the reins for Secretariat, with two famous quotes by the announcer Chic Anderson, during the breathtaking Belmont Stakes race in 1973.