Secretariat's 1973 Triple Crown Saddle
Emanating from the Personal Collection of Jockey Ron Turcotte
Enjoy learning more about this remarkable racing treasure to be auctioned as part of the Jim Irsay Collection of important sporting, musical, film and pop culture artifacts. The auction of the historic saddle will take place at the esteemed Christie's auction house in New York on March 12 at 5:00 p.m EST.
Update: Sold for $1,524,0000 - the most valuable piece of horseracing mememorabilia ever sold at public auction. Congratulations to the winning bidder!
In the spring of 1972, jockey Ron Turcotte collaborated with the noted leathersmith and saddlemaker Lee Wincher to produce a saddle specifically designed to the famed Canadian rider’s specifications. The Kentucky-based Wincher was renowned for the fine craftsmanship and innovative features in his work, having produced custom saddles for numerous other riders, including the saddle worn by jockey Mike Manganello in his 1970 Kentucky Derby winning mount aboard Dust Commander.
Turcotte requested that Wincher design a saddle that allowed for the even distribution of the external lead weights necessary to reach the heavier total weights assigned in Stakes and handicap races. Wincher accommodated by creating this particular saddle that features a series of pockets that secured and better balanced the cumbersome weights.
The future Hall of Fame jockey called it his “Big Race” saddle and it was famously worn aboard Secretariat in each of his 1973 record-breaking Triple Crown victories — the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes, where their winning margin was a jaw-dropping 31 lengths in one of the greatest performances in sports history.
In fact, Turcotte used the saddle throughout the legendary champion’s 1972 and 1973 racing seasons, including the Sanford Stakes, Hopeful Stakes, Belmont Futurity, Champagne Stakes, Laurel Futurity, Garden State Stakes, Bay Shore Stakes, Gotham Stakes, Wood Memorial, Arlington Invitational, Whitney Stakes, Marlboro Cup, Woodward Stakes and Man o’ War Stakes.
Additionally, Turcotte used the saddle while riding Secretariat’s champion Meadow stablemate Riva Ridge during his victories in the 1972 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. It was also worn in several important races by Turcotte's other stakes-winning and champion horses including Annihilate ‘Em, Dahlia, Key to the Mint and Summer Guest.
In December of 2022, Turcotte privately sold the important saddle to Jim Irsay, who was the principal owner of the NFL Indianapolis Colts. An avid philanthropist, Irsay purchased the saddle to become part of his personal collection consisting of historical sporting, film, musical and other cultural artifacts he envisioned sharing with the general public in a series of free exhibition events that traveled nationally.
Upon the saddle’s sale, Mr. Turcotte said, "This special saddle represents a most magical time in my racing career and its personal significance to me and my family goes beyond words. I have had the privilege of keeping it safe and secure for nearly 50 years, and now it's time to let others enjoy the treasures in my collection as well." The acclaimed New Brunswick jockey added, "I am humbled by the magnitude of this sale that will ensure financial security for my daughters and grandchildren, and I am grateful to the Jim Irsay Collection for recognizing the saddle's historical importance and making it and the Secretariat story available to current and future generations. We may never see the likes of Secretariat again, and I have been blessed to have both him and this saddle carry me through a lifetime of wonderful memories."
"This special saddle represents a most magical time in my racing career and its personal significance to me and my family goes beyond words..."
~ Ron Turcotte
Throughout 2023 and 2024, to the enjoyment of thousands of viewers, the saddle, along with the rest of the Jim Irsay Collection, toured the nation and included stops in Boston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles with the saddle making special racing event appearances in New York at the Belmont Stakes and Saratoga Race Course in conjunction with the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
Nathalie Ferneau will be handling the sale of the saddle for Private and Iconic Collections at Christie's. "It's a really special piece," says Ferneau. "It's sort of a touchpoint for a special time in sports history. Only Ron Turcotte knew what those last breathtaking moments of the Belmont Stakes felt like, but being in the presence of this saddle brings his Triple Crown victory aboard Secretariat even closer. Underneath the saddle flaps, you can see the slots for those lead weights, and each of the lead weights is actually signed 'R. Turcotte,' which is pretty cool."
Ferneau added, "For me the saddle is one of my holy grail objects. I could ride a horse before I could ride a bike and some of my earliest horse memories are visiting Saratoga race track with my family. Getting to work on something from Secretariat is a childhood dream come true."
Jim Irsay passed away in May 2025 and the saddle, along with its accompanying lead weights, as well as nearly 400 additional items from his remarkable collection will be auctioned in a series of online and live offerings from March 3 to March 17. Leading up to the auction, select pieces from the collection will go on exhibition, providing the public several opportunities to view these extraordinary objects. The preview locations and dates include:
• Highlights Exhibition at Christie's London: January 16-22
• Highlights Exhibition at The Super Bowl Experience, San Francisco: February 3-7
• Highlights Exhibition at Christie's Los Angeles: February 4-6
• Highlights Exhibition in Las Vegas: February 20-22
Prior to the auction, the collection will also be available for viewing March 6-12 in a free, public exhibition at Christie's located at 20 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City.
View the Saddle (Lot 39) or visit the Christie's Jim Irsay Collection for more auction information.
