Penny Chenery

Penny Chenery With Her Triple Crown Winning Horse (Secretariat.com)

My hero is Penny Chenery who was born on January 27, 1922. Penny was raised in Virginia, but is currently living in Boulder, Colorado. In 1936 Penny’s father, Christopher Chenery, bought back his ancestral home “The Meadows.” This almost 3,000 acre farm is where Christopher bred horses for racing. In 1967 Christopher became ill and Penny took over the business of the farm from her father. This was against what her sister and brother wanted; they wanted to sell “The Meadows.”

Penny, who was a wife and mother of four, became a horse breeder at 45 years old. She was the only woman at this time to attempt to enter into an all male sport. Two of the horses that Penny bred were “Something Royal” and “Bold Ruler.” The first foal was a filly named “The Bride”, the second foal was a colt named “Secretariat.” They said that Christopher Cheney bred Secretariat, when actually Penny did. It was 1970 and unheard of for women to breed horses.

Penny fought for the right to race “Secretariat” against many who didn’t believe in her or her horse. Penny belonged to “Secretariat” as much as “Secretariat” belonged to her. They had a very special bond and Penny never lost faith in Secretariat or his ability to race. Secretariat went on to win many races, including The Triple Crown. He has also been on the cover of many magazines. Secretariat became known to many as the greatest race horse ever!

Penny accomplished what no other woman before her had. Penny was honored with The Eclipse Award of Merit for a lifetime of outstanding achievement in Thoroughbred racing. Penny is widely recognized as Racing’s Goodwill Ambassador throughout the world. She is also involved in Thoroughbred causes and foundations. Penny was the president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association from 1976-1984. She was also president of the Grayson Foundation for equine research from 1985 to 1986. Penny is also an advocate for the health and welfare of retired Thoroughbreds and helped form the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. In 1983 Penny along with two other women, were the first women admitted into the The Jockey Club.