At the First Annual Bourbon County Secretariat Festival for September 20, 2008!

Making his debut at the First Annual Bourbon County Secretariat Festival on September 20, 2008, at the Bourbon County Fair Grounds in, the crowd welcomed Shrekretariat to Paris, Kentucky! This exciting event was a fundraiser for The Center for Women in Racing at Bethlehem Farm in Paris, KY.

Affectionately known as Addie at his stable at Marriwaye Meadows in New Wilmington in western Pennsylvania, this yearling has much to look forward to in his racing career. Marriwaye Meadows will be offering partnership shares in Addie in late 2008. Please contact us at 724-946-2399 or via email at partners @ shrekretariat.com for further information.

Once upon a time in a land far, far away (Pennsylvania, that is) a foal was born in early June 2007. Some may say it was a foal born of common stock but I know that he is of royal heritage and will someday transform into the noble steed of his destiny. I am that foal and my name is Srekretariat. Here is my story …

My gracious hosts, Mary and Tom McKinley, own an equestrian facility called Little Neshannock Stables in New Wilmington, PA. In operation for over 17 years, this excellent facility offers boarding, training and riding lessons in various disciplines. Host to the Westminster College Equestrian Team, Beaver Castle Girl Scout programs, summer camps and various other riding related programs, they are a compassionate group of equine enthusiasts and communicate that in their handling of us horses. We all love them.

Mary R. McKinley always had a passion for Thoroughbreds and racing and has owned and raced a few over the years. After 17 years of management, teaching, motherhood and wearing many hats she decided to pursue her dream and obtain her thoroughbred trainers license. Thus was the birth of her Thoroughbred division of the farm, Marriwaye Meadows. Now she can breed, train, and race her own Pennsylvania bred horses all over the land.

Many travels to the land of Kentucky brought numerous new friends and acquaintances into her life. One special friend and mentor, a long time trainer named Tony Battaglia, who currently works at Claiborne Farms, found my sire the noble Arthur's Ring.

Arthur's Ring stood in Kentucky after a short racing career and was a freshman sire that fateful year. Of noble lineage, a 3x3 cross to Mr. Prospector and a son of Unbridles Song, and a strikingly handsome gray. My dam is a bouncy, trouncy, saucy chestnut mare with 4 white socks named Bid on Mira, better known as Tigger. At the prime age of 17 she still rears up on her hind legs and paws the air. As fate would have it, that mid summer 2006 Tigger and Arthur's Ring had a magical union and I was on my way.

Fast-forward to June of 2007 and the debut of the latest movie release; SHREK3. The McKinley family, Tom, Mary, Cameron, Colin and Morrigan, went to the opening night in their hometown and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. SHREK3 is about the adventures of Shrek and Donkey as they search for the King Boy Artie, reminiscent of the Arthurian legends. As it would be, later that night I was born; Mary and Tom watched my arrival. To their amazement I was a beautiful chestnut colt with 3 white socks and a wide blaze. I was immediately and affectionately dubbed the 'Secretariat baby'. Being from the noble lineage of Arthur's Ring and Bold Ruler on my dam's side, and with the memories of the SHREK 3 movie still on their mind, I was almost named Shrek's Ring but Tom had other creative ideas – he said it had to be Shrekretariat.

With color and markings somewhat similar to the great Secretariat but all lit up with extra white, I was cute as a button and looking like a cartoon character of the great horse himself. I was adored and the name stuck with me.

Most at the barn agreed I just couldn't be called plain Shrek, as I was too cute for an ogre. A week or so later Mary had an intuition that I was to be called Addie for my nickname. She thought it meant "Extra White Added, no Charge". Tom's impression of it was "Add it to my bill!"

When Mary told Ellen, fast friend and long time barn manager, that my nickname was to be Addie, Ellen went very still and with an incredulous look on her face quietly said, "Mary, that was my mother's name. You never knew my mother!" A moment of stunned silence occurred as they both turned to stare at me with a look of amazement. All agreed that I was a special foal and must be being looked after by two special guardian angels since unbeknownst to all of us I was born on Ellen's father's birthday as well as being named after her mother.

I am adored by many at Marriwaye Meadows and particularly by a teenage princess named Maggie. All my good manners can be attributed to her attentions and any bad manners, well, Ellen would say they are due to my rambunctious mother.

I know that through love, compassion and fine training I can someday live up to both my name's sakes; the great Secretariat and the noble character Shrek . I plan on bringing joy to all who meet me or follow my career. I will also be part of the recent and prestigious Pennsylvania breeding and racing incentive program.

Glad to meet you ! Addie (Shrekretariat)