Jockey Gregg McCarron Dies at 77

[Wandering Eyes]

Jockey Gregg P. McCarron, who won over 2400 races in a 24-year career and who steered his younger brother Chris to a Hall of Fame career as a rider, died on his 96-acre farm in Mt. Airy, MD Thursday after suffering a heart attack, according to a press release sent on behalf of the family. He was 77 years old.

A native of Dorchester, MA, Gregg rode in 20,595 races during a career that started at Suffolk Downs in Boston in 1969 and ended in Maryland in 1993. He was the leading apprentice rider at Rockingham Park in 1969, according to Chris McCarron.

Gregg rode mainly in New England, New York and Maryland and he trained horses for a short while on the Maryland circuit after he quit riding.

He rode multiple Grade I winners, including On the Sly (1977 Jockey Club Gold Cup), Bounding Basque (1983 Wood Memorial Stakes), Broom Dance (1982 Alabama Stakes).

In total, he won 29 graded stakes including the Cherry Hill Mile, the Secretariat Stakes, the Selima Stakes, the Ladies Handicap and the Spinaway Stakes. Among the other horses he rode to victory were Mom's Command, Tiffany Ice, Before Dawn, Vision and Mademoiselle Forli.

After he retired, the widely admired rider became a racing commentator for NBC Sports, covering the Breeders' Cup for several years.

“Gregg led me to my career as a jockey and he was there for me every step of the way,” Chris said. “He was my idol and I always tried to emulate everything he did. He mentored me in my formative years and I would not have had the career I did without him in my life.”

Gregg is survived by his wife Darlene, son Matt, a grandson, eight siblings and numerous nieces and nephews. Matt is a retired two-time champion steeplechase jockey.

No memorial service is planned at this time.

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