Thoroughbred racing lost a legend Dec. 31 when William "Billy" H. Turner Jr., the trainer of the 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, died peacefully in cancer hospice care at his home in Reddick, Fla. He was 81.
The former racehorse trainer, born Feb. 29, 1940, in Rochester, N.Y., was based at Belmont Park for much of his career, where he preferred to keep a small stable of around 30 horses so that he was able to know and train them each as the individual.
Turner began his career with working with steeplechase horses in Pennsylvania horse country, working as a jockey and eventually becoming an assistant to Hall of Fame steeplechase trainer Burley Cocks. He took out his training license in 1966.
In Equibase statistics from 1976-2016, Turner trained the winners of 533 races for earnings from his horses of $17,501,009 in a career that spanned several decades. Prior to 1976, Equibase statistics are incomplete.
He enjoyed his highest-earning year in 2005 when his runners bankrolled $1,034,084. In addition to Seattle Slew, he trained grade 1 winners Gaviola and Czaravich, plus other graded stakes winners.
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981, Seattle Slew was under Turner's care until his 4-year-old season. Turner campaigned the son of Bold Reasoning through his undefeated Triple Crown victory for owners Karen and Mickey Taylor and Jim and Sally Hill. Seattle Slew was named Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old male in 1977. He was later trained by Douglas Peterson.
A resident of Marion County, Fla., since his retirement from training, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer almost two years ago which had also spread and weakened his bones. He was admitted to the hospital Dec. 17 after suffering significant shortness of breath, and testing revealed his cancer had spread to his lungs. Having chosen not to receive further treatment for his cancer, he was transferred to hospice care Dec. 28.
Just a few months ago, it seemed his cancer was in a stable state and he had some years to live. After the cancer was discovered in his lungs, his condition deteriorated rapidly.
Just a few days before his death, a GoFundMe effort was launched to assist Turner with medical and other expenses and to give the chance to those who knew him to express words of support and their memories of this consummate gentleman and horseman. The outpouring of love and financial support was immense, and Turner's wife, Pat, spent a big part of his last two days reading to Turner the 18 pages of messages sent in support.
After Turner's death, Pat issued the following statement: "Billy Turner passed away this afternoon peacefully at home. I want to take a moment to thank every person who contributed to his physical care and lifting him up in your thoughts and prayers. I was able to read him all the messages sharing your kindness and admiration of him. It meant a great deal to me to be able to let him know how loved he was in his last moments."
A memorial and celebration of life service will be held at a later date.
