Rapid Redux to Receive Secretariat Vox Populi Award

Rapid Redux, who recently set a modern-era record with 22 consecutive wins by a U.S. horse and tied the great Citation with 19 wins in a single season, has been selected to receive the 2011 Secretariat Vox Populi, or “Voice of the People,” Award. The award recognizes the horse whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded with the American public and gained recognition for Thoroughbred racing.

Although all of this year's Vox Populi nominees received generous support, the 5-year-old chestnut colt ultimately emerged as the top choice across the board of the three determining bodies – online voters, the Vox Populi Committee and Mrs. Penny Chenery, who established the award last year. Among thousands of online voters from more than 30 countries, 39% chose Rapid Redux, while the other contenders -- Goldikova, Havre de Grace and Uncle Mo -- split the remaining votes.

“The goal of thoroughbred horse racing is to win races,” said Mrs. Chenery. “In each race, no matter what amount of money the winner receives, what the distance of the race or the surface it is run on, one horse wins. And that's what we are all trying to do with our stable - win races so that feed bills can be paid and the costs of keeping the endeavor afloat can continue. Thousands of races are staged in America every year for every level of competition and thousands of horses win them, but rarely the same horse. So for one horse to beat his field 19 times in one year is flat out phenomenal. For that we honor Rapid Redux today.

We also honor his people who put him in a position to win each time, a rare and valuable skill. Rapid Redux and his team are a rare blend of ability and prudence. They never ran him over his head and he never failed to pull it off. Well done to all!”

The custom-made Vox Populi trophy will be awarded to Rapid Redux’s owner, Robert L. Cole Jr., and trainer, David J. Wells, Jan. 15 at Santa Anita Park in a public ceremony featuring an autograph signing, video presentation, and special guest appearance by Hall of Fame jockey Laffit Pincay.

For more information about the Secretariat Vox Populi Award, visit Secretariat.com, the official website for the legendary Thoroughbred champion. Celebrating racing’s past to enrich its future, Secretariat.com is a comprehensive online source for historical information, photography, merchandise, and memorabilia chronicling the enduring legacy of America’s Horse.