Retired jockey Robby Albarado has died after heart surgery, just days after texting a trainer, 'I feel like a new person'. The 52-year-old was one of the most successful riders in US history with more than 5,000 wins and a hugely successful association with two-time Horse of the Year, Curlin.
Career highlights
Albarado won ten races on the Steve Asmussen-trained Curlin, including the Preakness Stakes and Breeders' Cup Classic in 2007 and the following year's Dubai World Cup. Since he retired at the end of 2021 he had been working as an exercise rider for top trainer Kenny McPeek, for whom he steered Swiss Skydiver to victory in the 2020 Preakness.
Death after surgery
According to McPeek, Albarado underwent surgery on July 30 to have a stent inserted to clear a blockage near his heart. He had been released from hospital and was staying at McPeek's home in Saratoga when he was found dead on Tuesday morning, August 4, by the trainer's wife.
"We had him here at the house, he was just resting, best we can figure he died in his sleep last night between 8pm and this morning," Kenny McPeek told DRF.com. "Sherri found him upstairs at 11.30am."
The trainer added: "Not only did we work together, we were close friends. Probably the highest moment was when we won the Preakness with Swiss Skydiver. World-class horseman. Great friend."
Other notable wins
Albarado rode 5,222 career winners, of which 40 were at Grade 1 level, with 1,192 during a five year period at Churchill Downs. His other big wins included the 2011 Breeders' Cup Mile on Court Vision for trainer Dale Romans.
Romans, president of the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association told the Paulick Report: "Just devastated by the loss of Robby Albarado. We shared great victories and unforgettable moments, but above all, he was family. Our hearts and prayers are with his children and everyone who loved him.
"He was my main rider for a long time. He was a good friend to his friends, including me. He was hard-working, talented at what he did, was always upbeat, a good man to be around. He texted me Sunday: 'I feel like a new person,' with a muscle emoji.
"To pick out one race he rode for me, Court Vision would be the one. He got up by a nose. He told me the week before, working him on the turf, that he'd never been better and he could win this race. And he won the Breeders' Cup Mile at 60-1. Got up by a whisker."
Albarado was married twice and had five children.
