Edward Retz "Eddie" Maple (born November 8, 1948, in
Carrollton,
Ohio
Ohio () is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Of the List of states and territories of the United States, fifty U.S. states, it is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 34th-l ...
) is a retired
American thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are ...
horse racing jockey. One of eight siblings, he is an older brother to jockey
Sam Maple, who won more than 2,500 races.
Maple began riding horses at age 12, and won his first race as a professional at age 17 at
Ascot Park
Ascot Park can refer to:
* Ascot Park (speedway) – dirt racing track in Gardena, California
* Ascot Park, New Zealand – suburb in Porirua, New Zealand
* Ascot Park, South Australia
Ascot Park is a suburb in the south-western part of Adelaid ...
in Akron. Ohio. He spent his early career in Ohio and West Virginia, moving to tracks in New Jersey in 1970, but then relocated to New York in 1971.
Maple was the jockey for Hall of Fame horse
Riva Ridge in the 1973
Marlboro Cup, getting the ride when regular jockey
Ron Turcotte
Ronald Joseph Morel "Ronnie" Turcotte, (born July 22, 1941) is a retired Canadian thoroughbred race horse jockey best known as the rider of Secretariat, winner of the U.S. Triple Crown in 1973.
Career
Turcotte began his career in Toronto as ...
rode
Secretariat
Secretariat may refer to:
* Secretariat (administrative office)
* Secretariat (horse)
Secretariat (March 30, 1970 – October 4, 1989), also known as Big Red, was a champion American thoroughbred racehorse who is the ninth winner of the Ameri ...
to victory in the same race. His strong 2nd-place performance earned him the opportunity of a lifetime later that year, when Turcotte was suspended from riding for five days; Maple rode Secretariat to victory in his last race, the
Canadian International Stakes
The Canadian International Stakes is a Grade I stakes race for thoroughbred racehorses three years of age and up on Turf. It is held annually in October at Woodbine Racetrack in