Two-time Preakness winner and renowned jockey Robby Albarado has died at the age of 52. The news was confirmed by officials at Churchill Downs, as reported by infohub.kz.
According to a spokesperson for Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, the track was informed of Albarado's death by his friends and family members. Trainer Kenny McPeek, who employed Albarado as an exercise rider, said that Albarado had been hospitalized in recent days for a procedure to insert a stent to alleviate a blockage near his heart.
In a statement, Churchill Downs president Mike Anderson said: "Saying goodbye to someone who left us too soon is extremely difficult. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and numerous friends."
Albarado is best known for riding Curlin to victories in the Preakness and Breeders' Cup Classic in 2007, and he also won the second leg of the Triple Crown aboard filly Swiss Skydiver in 2020. He had two other Breeders' Cup wins among the 5,222 races in his career.
After retiring in 2022, Albarado worked for McPeek, who trained Swiss Skydiver.
A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, Albarado began riding at bush tracks before turning professional and competing in more than 34,000 races, earning just over $221 million in prize money.