Reddick, FL - November 1, 2019:

Seattle Slew, trained by Billy Turner, became a racing celebrity by winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes in 1977.   Before Justify won the Triple Crown in 2018, Seattle Slew was the only horse who was undefeated going into the Triple Crown.

Billy Turner, who resides at the Ocala Jockey Club, was born in Rochester, New York.  He grew up riding and fox hunting in Pennsylvania.  He began his career with racehorses as a steeplechase jockey while still a teenager.  

Billy Turner’s partnership with Seattle Slew began in 1975 when Seattle Slew was bought by WoodenHorse Investments, a West Coast owner partnership, as a yearling and sent to Turner who was on the East Coast. 

Seattle Slew had been given the name of Baby Huey due to his gangly body and stubborn attitude.  Turner and Slew quickly developed a great partnership and the two stepped forward to make history in 1977.

Seattle Slew was known as a great producer of racehorse offspring and in recent years, his offspring a generation or two removed, are showing up on with winning outcomes in Eventing. 

Billy Turner’s residency at the Ocala Jockey Club, his contribution to the Thoroughbred racing Industry and the fact that he is the oldest living Triple Crown trainer alive today, the Ocala Jockey Club is proud to host this Billy Turner/Seattle Slew Award in honor of Billy and the great racing horse Seattle Slew. To learn more about StressLess Supplement, the underwriter of this $750 cash award, please visit www.Centerlinedistribution.net. For more information about Seattle Slew, visit www.SeattleSlew.com and for more information about Billy Turner, visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_H._Turner_Jr.

To participate for this award – Please provide your TIP card at the beginning by end of cross-country on Saturday.  Please research your horse’s pedigree on www.pedigreequery.com or www.equineline.com and mark if your horse has Seattle Slew in the sire’s line or dam’s line in the first three generations. Your horse is qualified if it is within 3 generations of Seattle Slew (grand-sire of great grand-sire). Good Luck!! 

Bill Turner riding as a 13-year old. Photo courtesy of Bill Turner Jr.