Secretariat's birthplace, Meadow Farm, to be auctioned

Meadow Farm, the Virginia birthplace of 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat, will be auctioned May 22 following the foreclosure of the Virginia State Fair.

The fair bought Meadow Farm, located 25 miles north of Richmond in Doswell, Va., in 2003. Three hundred thirty-one acres remain from the original 2,798-acre property that Christopher Chenery purchased in 1932 to launch his Virginia Thoroughbred breeding interests. The farm will sell at public auction through Motley’s Auction and Realty Group.

The sale will include the 12,850-square-foot main residence and its original stables and training barn where Secretariat was born and received some of his training. Other structures, including those added by the Virginia State Fair, are an equestrian facility with stables, an arena, and four additional riding rings, among others.

The auction will take place at the fairgrounds complex at 13111 Dawn Boulevard in Doswell starting at 2 p.m.