Maritime Traveler, the last living son of Secretariat, now gallops in heaven

With his passing at age 35 in Florida, the final living chapter of the legendary Secretariat comes to a close, though his blood will continue to run strong through future generations

Maritime Traveler at Bridlewood Farm / OCALA GAZETTE

OCALA, Florida (Special for Turf Diario).- The circle has finally closed. With the passing of Maritime Traveler, the last heartbeat of Secretariat’s direct lineage fell silent, bringing to an end the living legacy of the horse who forever changed the history of Thoroughbred racing. In the quiet early hours of Sunday, July 27, the chestnut passed away at Bridlewood Farm in Florida at the age of 35, after a long and dignified life spent far from the spotlight that once followed his legendary sire.

Rarely does the death of a modest runner with no recognized progeny stir such emotion. But Maritime Traveler was no ordinary horse. He was the final living son of the colossus who in 1973 swept the American Triple Crown and became a living legend. For decades, his very existence served as a poignant reminder of an era that can never be replicated.

Though he never made headlines on the track—nor was he expected to—Maritime Traveler played a quiet yet crucial role at Bridlewood for a quarter of a century, serving as a teaser stallion, a job that rarely earns recognition but remains vital in any breeding operation.

“Maritime Traveler wasn’t born to be a champion on the racetrack, but he was an extraordinary teaser,” said George Isaacs, longtime general manager at Bridlewood. “For 25 years, he did his job with efficiency and dignity. We buried him in the farm’s cemetery, alongside those who left their mark on our history and in our hearts.”

Among those resting in the same soil is My Gallant (Gallant Man), a G1 winner and one of Secretariat’s own rivals, who finished third behind the champion in the Belmont Stakes and was runner-up in the Arlington Invitational. A fitting and symbolic coincidence for the final resting place of Secretariat’s last son.

Despite his advanced age and near blindness, Maritime Traveler had remained alert, eating well and moving about with relative ease. But this summer brought with it intense heat, and in his own quiet, equine way, he let it be known that it was time.

It wasn’t until late 2022 that he began to draw broader attention, when it was confirmed he was indeed one of the last living sons of Secretariat. “I always knew he was by Secretariat,” Isaacs recalled, “but over time, things like that fade into the background—until you’re reminded of what that really means.”

From that moment on, Bridlewood opened its gates to visitors from around the world, many of whom came just to spend a few minutes in the presence of a direct son of the 20th century’s most iconic racehorse. “It was the right thing to do,” Isaacs said. “And we enjoyed every minute of it.”

Maritime Traveler’s story is also deeply intertwined with Arthur and Martha Appleton, Bridlewood’s original founders, who purchased the colt as a yearling in 1991. His passing not only marks the end of Secretariat’s living legacy, but also the final connection to that foundational era of the farm—though Bridlewood’s present couldn’t be more promising.

“The Appletons would be proud to see the flame still burning,” Isaacs said with a smile. “Horses like Journalism(Curlin), who won the Preakness, and Sovereignty (Into Mischief), another standout among this year’s 3-year-olds, were developed right here. And yes, both trace back to Secretariat.”

For Isaacs, the great chestnut will always hold a special place in his memory. “Very few horses have ever combined physique, heart, and talent the way he did. To spend so many years caring for one of his sons—serving a real purpose and living a good life—has been one of the true privileges of my career.”

Now Maritime Traveler gallops in another realm, perhaps matching strides with his sire’s unforgettable surge in that 1973 Belmont. The last son of Secretariat is gone. But like his father’s, his legacy will endure forever.