Penny Chenery | Secretariat's owner, 95

Penny Chenery, 95, who bred and raced the 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat as well as realizing her ailing father's dream to win the Kentucky Derby in 1972 with Riva Ridge, died Saturday at her Boulder, Colo., home after complications from a stroke.

In 1973, Secretariat became the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years, sweeping the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont. He won the last leg by 31 lengths, one of the greatest performances in sports history.

The previous year, Riva Ridge won the Derby and Belmont Stakes.

Ms. Chenery developed a love of horses as a child and learned to ride at age 5. She attributed her affinity for horses to her father, Christopher Chenery, who founded Meadow Stable, in Caroline County, Va.

After graduating from Smith College in 1943, she worked as an assistant for a company that designed landing craft for the Normandy invasion. Before the invasion, she quit her job and, at her father's urging, volunteered for the Red Cross. In 1945, she traveled to France as a Doughnut Girl to help war-weary soldiers transition to ships headed home at war's end.

For nearly 20 years after, she was content to be a homemaker and mother. Her life changed in 1968 when her father's health began failing and her mother died. Meadow Stable, which had been profitable, began losing money.

Ms. Chenery took over management and after several more difficult years saw its fortunes turn with the success of Riva Ridge and Secretariat.

She charmed as an engaging owner who represented her equine champions with poise and a keen business sense.

"The horse can't talk, but I can," she said.

In the 2010 movie Secretariat, Ms. Chenery was portrayed by actress Diane Lane. She had a cameo role as a racing spectator.

After Secretariat's retirement, she became an ambassador for racing. She served as the first female president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. - AP