horses

Secretariat's Texas link: Love and siring in Needville

Monday, May 1, 2017
Here's a look back at reporter Deborah Wrigley's 2010 report on Country Side from the Diamond J Farms in Fort Bend County
NEEDVILLE, Texas (KTRK) -- You've likely heard about Secretariat and one of the greatest races of all time, but did you know the historic Triple Crown winner had a Texas connection?

The stallion Country Side was believed to be Secretariat's oldest living offspring, and lived at the Diamond J Farms in Needville until his death in 2014.
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Born and bred in Maryland, the dark bay Thoroughbred won two of 24 starts, with races throughout the United States and France from 1987 to 1990. He earned $26,232 during his racing career, DRF's Nicole Russo reports.

PHOTOS: Country Side, Secretariat's stallion, at 25 years old
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But Country Side's Texas adventure wouldn't begin until 1996, when newlyweds Jeff and Joycelyn Kasmir reportedly found the retired racing horse at a California farm and fell in love.

While Country Side wasn't born in Texas, he got here as soon as he could after the Kasmirs purchased him as a wedding present.



For 18 years, the stallion stood at the Needville farm, siring a reported 47 Thoroughbred foals. According to DRF, 21 made it to the races, with nine winning.
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The stallion sired Quarter Horse, Paint, Appaloosa and Arabian mares.

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The Kasmirs described Country Side as having a "wonderful disposition" and a winner on both dirt and turf.

Country Side died on August 26, 2014 at the age of 29, but he wasn't Secretariat's only stallion. According to American Classic Pedigrees, Secretariat sired 663 named foals, including 341 winners and 54 stakes winners.

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Some of Country Side's siblings include:

  • General Assembly, the winner of the 1979 Travers Stakes
  • Lady's Secret, the 1986 Horse of the Year
  • Risen Star, the 1988 Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner
  • Kingston Rule, the record-breaking 1990 Melbourne Cup winner
  • Tinners Way, two-time winner of the Pacific Classic (1994 and 1995)
  • Weekend Surprise, 1992 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year


Secretariat was the winner of the 1973 Triple Crown, shattering records and winning the adoration of racing fans around the world.

PHOTOS: Secretariat, celebrated Triple Crown winner
Triple Crown winner Secretariat has four feet in the air as he gallops during a workout with exercise jockey George Davis in saddle at Arlington Park race track in June 1973.none
Secretariat and jockey Ron Turcotte pose in the winner's circle after winning the 1973 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on May 5, 1973.none
Portrait of Triple Crown winner Secretariat in March of 1973. Location unknown.none
This is a fish-eye lens view of Secretariat, ridden by Ron Turcotte, thundering past the packed clubhouse at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY., to win the 1973 Kentucky Derby.none
Secretariat, the chestnut colt, who captured the Triple Crown in 1973 relaxes in a farm in Kentucky in 1974.none
Penny Chenery, owner of Secretariat, right, jockey Ron Turcotte, second from right, and trainer Lucien Lauren, third from left, show off trophy in the Winner's Circle.none
Jockey Ron Turcotte sits on Secretariat, 1973. Others are unidentified.none
In this June 9, 1973 file photo, jockey Ron Turcotte walks Secretariat towards the winners circle after they captured the Triple Crown by winning the Belmont Stakes.none
Ron Turcotte rides Secretariat on a practice run for the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, N.Y., June 8, 1973.none
Retired jockey Ron Turcotte, left, who rode Secretariat to the Triple Crown in 1973, poses for photos with Kenny Foudy, 5, next to a statue prior to the Belmont Stakes in 2012.none
Penny Chenery, owner of Secretariat, and groom Eddie Sweat stand in paddock with Triple Crown winner Secretariat at New York's Aqueduct Raceway, Nov. 6, 1973.none
Trainer Lucien Laurin (wearing hat), and jockey Ron Turcotte, right, watch as their horse, Secretariat, parades past them at stables of Churchill Downs in May 1973.none
Triple Crown winner Secretariat, is shown at Aqueduct Rack Track in New York, Nov. 6, 1973, as the three-year-old colt, nicknamed "Super Red" by his fans, made a final appearance.none
Jockey Ron Turcotte in Winner's Circle at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 5, 1973, after Turcotte rode Secretariat to a record win in the 99th Kentucky Derby.none
Triple Crown winner Secretariat, right, leads Riva Ridge on way to victory in the $250,000 Marlboro Cup event at Belmont Race Track in Elmont, New York on Sept. 15, 1973.none

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In 1974, he entered stud at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky.





Experts believe there are 25 remaining Secretariat broodmares, DRF reports, including Perfect Soul (found at Darby Dan Farm in Lexington, Kentucky); and Holy Roman Emperor in Ireland.

Google Street View shows the fields where Country Side likely spent his remaining days in Needville.

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