Today, we celebrate the incredible life and legacy of Mr. Eddie Sweat, a true icon in the world of horse racing whose impact continues to resonate deeply within the industry and beyond. Born on August 29, 1939, in Holly Hill, South Carolina, Eddie came from humble beginnings as one of nine children in a sharecropping family. Growing up in a poor household, he faced the challenges of the segregated South, working tirelessly alongside his family picking cotton, digging sweet potatoes, and harvesting crops like corn and soybeans. Despite these hardships, Eddie’s love for horses was evident from a young age. As a teenager, he would walk two and a half miles just to catch a glimpse of the Thoroughbreds at the nearby training center of Lucien Laurin, a future U.S. Racing Hall of Fame trainer. His passion for these majestic animals set the foundation for a remarkable career that would leave an indelible mark on horse racing history.
Eddie’s journey into the world of Thoroughbred racing began in 1957 at the age of 18, when Laurin offered him a job after noticing the wide-eyed teen frequently peeking through the fence, sometimes even skipping school to watch the horses. Accepting the role as a groom for Laurin’s stable, Eddie started with a small fixed salary plus 1% of the horses’ earnings—a modest beginning for a man who would go on to care for some of the most celebrated racehorses in history. One of his first notable charges was Quill, the 1958 American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly, marking the start of a career filled with extraordinary achievements. Eddie’s dedication and natural talent for understanding horses quickly made him Laurin’s most trusted groom, a role that involved everything from cleaning stalls and grooming to driving the stable’s van to transport horses between tracks like Belmont Park, Monmouth, Pimlico, and Woodbine.
What truly set Eddie apart was his kind and compassionate nature, a quality that shone through in his work and relationships. Known as “Shorty” to those close to him, Eddie was a man who loved his horses deeply, treating them with a tenderness that earned their trust and affection. His bond with Secretariat, the legendary Triple Crown winner of 1973, is perhaps the most well-known example of this. Eddie was Secretariat’s constant companion, rarely more than a few feet away from the horse he affectionately called “Big Red.” He slept on a cot outside Secretariat’s stall on race days, watched every workout, and tended to the champion’s every need—bathing, cooling out, blanketing, wrapping, and feeding. This unwavering commitment was captured beautifully in the 2006 book by Lawrence Scanlan, The Horse God Built: Secretariat, His Groom, Their Legacy, which highlights the profound connection between Eddie and Secretariat, a bond built on mutual trust and respect.
Eddie’s career was filled with historic moments. He became the first groom to care for Kentucky Derby winners two years in a row, with Riva Ridge in 1972 and Secretariat in 1973. His work with Secretariat during the horse’s Triple Crown campaign brought him national attention, landing him on the covers of Ebony and Jet magazines and in television appearances. Later, after Lucien Laurin’s retirement, Eddie worked for Laurin’s son, Roger, and gained further recognition in 1984 with Chief’s Crown, a colt who won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and was voted the Eclipse Award as American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt. Despite the fame that came with these achievements, Eddie remained a humble and generous man, often using his influence to help relatives secure jobs in the racing industry and lending money to those in need. His kindness and selflessness made him a role model for many young people, inspiring them to pursue their dreams with the same determination and heart that defined his own journey.
Eddie Sweat’s legacy in the horse racing industry is nothing short of legendary. He spent 41 years in the business, working until the very end of his life with a pitchfork in hand and a rub rag in his pocket, as he once said he would. His contributions were immortalized in a life-size bronze statue at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, where he is depicted leading Secretariat and jockey Ron Turcotte to the winner’s circle after the 1973 Kentucky Derby—a fitting tribute to a man who played such a pivotal role in the champion’s success. Eddie’s story was also brought to life in the 2010 Walt Disney film Secretariat, where he was portrayed by actor Nelsan Ellis, a performance that captured his quiet strength and deep love for his horses.
Sadly, Eddie’s life was not without its struggles. He faced numerous health challenges, including a heart attack, open-heart surgery, asthma, and leukemia, which ultimately claimed his life on April 17, 1998, at the age of 59. In 1991, he lost most of his cherished Secretariat memorabilia in a fire that destroyed his home in Queens, New York. When he passed, Eddie was destitute, and a charitable organization had to step in to cover his funeral expenses—a stark contrast to the wealth and fame that surrounded the horses he cared for. Many, including author Lawrence Scanlan and journalist William Nack, have since reflected on the inequities Eddie faced, noting that a single breeding cover from Secretariat could have secured his financial future. Yet, despite these hardships, Eddie’s love for his work never wavered. “If I made a million dollars today, I’d still be working with the horses,” he once said, a testament to his lifelong dedication.
Eddie Sweat was a remarkable man whose skill, dedication, and friendship with Secretariat will be remembered for generations to come. He showed the world what it means to love and care for horses with every fiber of your being, and his story continues to inspire those who dream of making their mark in the horse racing industry. To Eddie, we say: WE LOVE YOU EDDIE. Your legacy as a true legend lives on, not just in the records of the horses you groomed, but in the hearts of all who admire your compassion, resilience, and unwavering spirit. 🐎❤️
