The Secretariat Vox Populi Award, also known as the "Voice of the People" award, was established in 2010 by Penny Chenery, who was the owner of Secretariat. The annual award "recognizes the horse whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded with the American public and gained recognition for Thoroughbred racing."
Recipients of the award to date:
Year Horse Trainer Owner2023Cody's WishBill MottGodolphin2022Cody's WishBill MottGodolphin2021Hot Rod Charlie Doug O'NeillBoat Racing LLC, Gainesway Stable, Roadrunner Racing, and William Strauss2020Authentic Bob BaffertSpendthrift Farm, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables, Starlight Racing 2019Bricks and MortarChad BrownKlaravich Stables & William H. Lawrence2018WinxChris Waller Magic Bloodstock Racing, Richard Treweeke, Debbie Kepitis2017Ben's Cat King T. Leatherbury The Jim Stable2016California ChromeArt Sherman & Alan ShermanCalifornia Chrome, LLC2015American PharoahBob BaffertZayat Stables2014California ChromeArt ShermanPerry Martin & Steve Coburn2013 Mucho Macho ManKathy RitvoReeves Thoroughbred Racing2012PaynterBob BaffertZayat Stables2011Rapid Redux David J. Wells Robert Cole Jr.2010ZenyattaJohn ShirreffsJerry & Ann Moss
, the award was chosen by a combined vote of the general public, conducted online; plus a vote of the Vox Populi committee, and a vote by Chenery. After Chenery's death in 2017, the voting procedure changed; , six nominees are chosen by a committee of "several distinguished personalities from within and outside the racing industry who all share a keen interest and affection for the sport". Online voting is then turned over to the general public, who can write in their own choices. Voting closes on November 30, with the winner announced in December.
Two horses, California Chrome and Cody's Wish, are the only ones to date that have received the Secretariat Vox Populi Award twice. In 2023 Cody's Wish became the first winner of the award in consecutive years.
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