NORMAN, Okla. — Jocelyn Russell’s new monument memorializing Secretariat is nearly complete. The statue pays homage to the legendary racehorse and is set to be dedicated at an unveiling ceremony at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky. on Oct. 12.

While busily at work on the final touches for the monument with her foundry, The Crucible LLC. in Norman, Okla., Russell took the time to explain that the first step in the creation process was to sculpt and cast a fully-detailed maquette (model) for approval by the commissioning body, the Triangle Foundation. Once the initial design was approved, the prototype was scanned to make an enlargement. The enlargement was cut out in blocks of polyurethane foam, which Russell sculpted and used to perfect her design. Following the fine-tuning, the design was translated into clay and then into bronze.

The final pieces are currently being assembled to make the final product. Russell noted that her team at the foundry is doing a great job on a significant and somewhat challenging project. During her research and work on the monument, Russell has also had the opportunity to interact with Secretariat’s Jockey, Ron Turcotte, and Kate Tweedy, the daughter of owner, Penny Tweedy. Russell noted that Turcotte, in particular, has been “wonderful.”

Once assembled, the monument will stand approximately 13 feet high and weigh around 4,000 pounds. The memorial to the 1973 Triple Crown Winner, considered by many to be the most significant U.S. racehorse to have ever lived will be one of five known monuments. There are two at Kentucky Horse Park, One at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., and the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. All honor the famous horse who accomplished the near-impossible in his lifetime by winning the 1973 Triple Crown to end a 25-year drought.

The monument is scheduled for departure from Norman on Oct. 8 and is expected to travel from Norman to Lexington by way of Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Owassa and through St. Louis. Russell and her husband, Michael Dubail, will drive the artwork to the site. Russell’s assistant, Kristen Abramson, will also be a part of the trip. For the journey, they will be using a brand-new flatbed trailer along with a brand-new Dodge pickup donated by the Jim Glover Auto Family for the haul. The monument’s final resting place will be in Lexington at the intersection of Alexandria Drive and Old Frankfort Pike.

“This is likely the most famous figure that I will ever have the chance to sculpt,” said Russell. She is grateful that the project has garnered a great deal of public interest, and she looks forward to the new opportunities that will more than likely present themselves as a result.