Athol, N.Y., farrier Thomas “Tucker” Birdsall passed away May 27, 2026, from complications of Parkinson’s disease, his family tells American Farriers Journal. He was 78.

Birdsall was one of the top Thoroughbred racetrack farriers in the area, shoeing million-dollar racehorses at Belmont, Aqueduct and Saratoga. During the winters, he shod with his brother Dave Birdsall, a member of the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame, at Payson Park, and, for more than 25 years, shod show horses at Wellington, Fla.

“I was very fortunate to be able to work with my brother for many years,” Dave Birdsall tells AFJ. “He had many friends and will be missed by all who knew him.”

Saratoga Race Course honored Tuck Birdsall by naming the second race after him on Aug. 14, 2026. More than 50 joined the celebration in the winners circle after the race.

“We are grateful to Joe Campbell for his effort in making this happen,” Dave Birdsall says. “They had a picture of Tucker with Secretariat displayed on the JumboTron.”

A brick inscribed with his name was added to the racetrack’s blacksmith memorial outside the Saratoga Race Course Blacksmith Shop in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. In addition to Tucker Birdsall, the following are honored at the memorial — Ray Amato Sr., Ray Amato Jr., Tony Amato, Jim Bayes, Jim Brummitt, George A. Boyle, George Boyle, Charlie Campbell, Elmer Campbell, John Dern, Andy Gardner Sr., Tom McNabo, Jim O’Connell, Rodney O’Domski, Bruce Scott, Frank Starns and Butch Vinus. The bricks are inscribed by Reddick, Fla., farrier Curtis Burns.

After graduating from Wantagh High School in 1964, Tucker Birdsall attended Farmingdale College, where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Animal Science in 1967. He continued his studies at Cornell University, but his mother passed away unexpectedly during his first semester. He returned home to be with his family following that semester.

He began his hoof-care career by attending Midwest Horseshoeing School in Macomb, Ill. However, a call to shoe a horse in Corinth changed the direction of his life.

“The horse belonged to Arlinda Guilder, who soon became the love of his life, soulmate and best friend,” according to his obituary with Alexander-Baker Funeral Home. “Tucker and Arlinda were married on Sept. 5, 1970, and shared nearly 56 years of true and enduring love.”

Some of his finest work involved collaborating with Dr. Jim Prendergast, a top racetrack veterinarian, on a young filly named Turn Back the Alarm after she fractured a leg. He engineered a titanium brace from parts that he sourced at a local bicycle shop. Turn Back the Alarm not only recovered, but returned to racing — a highly rare outcome at the time. One year later, the filly was the horse of the year.

His life’s work earned him a nomination to the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame. He was a twice-published author in Blood Horse magazine and appeared on its cover.

He concluded his career as the paddock blacksmith, inspecting the racehorses’ shoes before races. He retired in 2022.