Secretariat & Riva Ridge Yearling Barn

The L-shaped Yearling Barn was home to Meadow Stable champions Riva Ridge in 1970 and Secretariat in 1971. Each stayed in the second stall from the right on the eastern side of the L, which was always reserved for the most promising colt of the season. Riva and Secretariat certainly lived up to that expectation, winning five out of six Triple Crown races between them in 1972-73 under Penny Chenery's leadership.

In this barn complex, the colts and fillies enjoyed a daily routine of playing and grazing in their respective paddocks from early morning until about 5pm. Then their grooms led them back to their stalls, fed them and bedded them down for the night. At the age of 18 months, the yearlings were walked over to the Training Center on the south side of Rt. 20 to start learning the fundamentals of being racehorses.

The offices of long-time farm manager Howard Gentry were located in the corner of the "L." The adjacent tack room held all the saddles, bridles, brushes, liniments and other supplies.

The Yearling Barn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register.