Former jockey Robby Albarado, a two-time Preakness winner, has passed away at the age of 52. Albarado’s death was confirmed by a spokesperson for Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, who received the news from his friends and family.
Albarado was recently hospitalized to undergo a procedure to insert a stent to relieve a blockage near his heart. This information was shared by trainer Kenny McPeek, who had employed Albarado as an exercise rider after his retirement.
Churchill Downs president, Mike Anderson, expressed the profound sadness felt by the racing community: Saying goodbye to someone who left us too soon is extremely difficult. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and numerous friends.
Robby Albarado is widely recognized for his remarkable achievements in horse racing. He rode Curlin to victories in both the Preakness Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2007. Additionally, he won the second leg of the Triple Crown in 2020 with the filly Swiss Skydiver. Throughout his career, Albarado secured two other Breeders’ Cup wins and accumulated a total of 5,222 career victories.
After retiring in 2022, he continued to contribute to the sport by working with Kenny McPeek, who trained Swiss Skydiver. Albarado’s legacy in horse racing is further accentuated by his career earnings, which amounted to over $221 million.
Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, Albarado began his riding journey on bush tracks before turning professional. He participated in more than 34,000 races, leaving a lasting impact on the sport he loved.
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