Is the movie secretariat a true story?

Answer 1

For the most part, but as per usual in Hollywood, some pertinent facts were skewed or omitted. Examples:

In the movie, the success of Secretariat saves the Meadow Farms horse breeding operation from financial ruin. In reality, the year before, another Meadow Stable runner, Riva Ridge, won the Derby and Belmont to save the farm. Secretariat won horse of the year two years in a row, and the Triple Crown in 1973. But the movie does not mention Riva at all.

Frank Martin is portrayed as a loud mouth braggart, when he was in fact a nice fellow, but did back Sham to the max.

Lucien Laurin is portrayed as a screwball, wearing pimp clothes, and a failed golfer. Laurin was in fact a conservative dresser, and was an avid fisherman, never played one hole of Golf.

There was no mention of Penny's sister, Mrs Carmichael, who was very involved in getting the farm back on its feet.

Answer 2

The majority of the movie was filmed in Lafayette, LA

Answer 3

In the 1970's.