Famous Movie Star's Home Hits Lexington Real Estate Market

I will come clean. I'm one of those people who is obsessed with real estate TV shows such as Bravo's Million Dollar Listing which premiers tonight. I just find the homes and the history of the homes so extremely interesting. I love when they show a one-of-a-kind home and tell you about the famous people who once called this place home.

Hollywood has its movie stars, sports legends and socialites. However, the more I think about it, Hollywood doesn't have anything on Lexington. Lexington may not boast the exotic homes Hollywood does, but we have our own special royal estates. We also have movie stars and sports legends right here in our own backyard.

Just recently listed on the Lexington KY real estate market is the former home of a horse racing legend/movie star. Located at 120 Fairwood Lane in Lexington, this remarkable estate once belonged to Secretariat's owner Penny Chenery. Oh that's right! It's all coming together for you now. Remember Secretariat was a Hollywood movie production shot in Kentucky and went on to become a box office hit in 2010.

Penny 's baby Secretariat is regarded as a true legend and is known as the greatest horse of the century.  In the movie, Penny was played by longtime actress great Diane Lane and Penny herself actually made a cameo in the movie.

Penny is pretty cool in her own right. Her accomplishments are as long as the racing track. She was the first woman ever to be admitted to the prestigious Jockey Club and help founded the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. As for her famous horse, aside from his Triple Crown win, he set numerous track world records that still stand over 30 years later. Secretariat is the only Kentucky Derby winner to have ever finished the race in under two minutes. The Preakness was no different, as the horse legend blazed to the finish line in a record time. Sadly, no record was officially given to him due to a faulty timer. But that did not stop his spirit! During his next race at the Belmont, he won by the widest margin ever, setting a world record with a time of 2:24 for the mile and a half course. The two-time Horse of the Year, won nearly $1.5 million during his time. That was in the 1970s so just think what that earrings number would be today!  And you thought that Mister Ed was the coolest horse ever?! Think again! Pretty cool story if you ask this girl right here.

And as for Penny's former house, this exceptional Warfield Gratz Home is located on a beautiful tree lined boulevard in the sought after Fairway neighborhood. Located off Richmond Road near the heart of downtown Lexington, this estate will have you in the center of it all, yet offers the tranquil beauty and calming quality of life. Listed at $459,000, this 3 bedroom ranch boast over 2500 finished square feet and has a recently updated kitchen, a handsome slate roof and large side yard. I can only imagine the "insider" stories that have been told on Secretariat in this home. If walls could talk!

Lexington KY is always #1 in my book! Whether you want to buy a downtown condo, a custom walkout ranch on a golf course, or a horse farm in the country, I can help find the perfect home for you – as well as help you sell your home. In addition to Lexington Real Estate, I specialize in the nearby towns of Paris, Midway, Georgetown, and Versailles.