Triple Crown saddle from Secretariat, part of Irsay Auction

The saddle jockey Ron Turcotte used aboard Secretariat during the 1973 Triple Crown sweep will be offered as part of an auction featuring the memorabilia collection of late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, ESPN reports.

Irsay, known for his extensive collection, died in May 2025. His collection will be available for online bidding from March 3 to 17, according to the Christie’s auction house website. In-person auctions will be held March 12-14 for specific categories of the collection (Hall of Fame, Icons of Pop Culture and Icons of Music).

The Secretariat saddle was used in the legendary horse’s run to the first Triple Crown since Citation in 1948. Secretariat’s run to the Triple Crown included the fastest time for the Kentucky Derby (G1) at 1:59.40 and a record-breaking 2:24 for 1 1/2 miles in the Belmont Stakes (G1). Turcotte, who died on August 22, 2025 at the age of 84, sold the saddle to Irsay for a reported $2 million in 2023. According to ESPN, Christie’s estimates the saddle’s value at $1.5 million to $2 million.

Other items in the auction include Kurt Cobain’s Competition Mustang guitar; Jerry Garcia’s Doug Irwin custom guitar ‘Tiger’; John Lennon’s Rose-Morris Rickenbacker; Ringo Starr’s drum kit; Muhammad Ali’s “Thrilla in Manila” boots; and the original typewritten scroll of Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road.”

ESPN notes that the collection will be on public display at Christie’s New York, with some items in London (Jan. 16-22) and Los Angeles (Feb. 4-6).