Farewell to racing legend Ron Turcotte, best known as the Triple Crown-winning jockey of Secretariat. His legacy and place in racing history will never be forgotten. 🕊🏇

 

 

The world of horse racing is mourning the loss of Ron Turcotte, the Canadian-born jockey whose name will forever be etched into history as the rider of Secretariat — the 1973 Triple Crown champion often hailed as the greatest racehorse of all time. Turcotte, who passed away this week, was 82.

While Secretariat’s astonishing 31-length victory in the Belmont Stakes remains one of the most iconic moments in all of sports, the man guiding him that day played an equally vital role in the history-making ride. Turcotte’s calm hands, keen instincts, and bond with the chestnut colt helped deliver one of the most celebrated achievements in thoroughbred racing.

From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of racing

Born in Drummond, New Brunswick, in 1941, Ron Turcotte grew up one of 12 children in a working-class family. He originally left home as a teenager to work as a lumberjack before drifting toward the racetrack. Starting as a hot walker and exercise rider, Turcotte quickly developed a reputation for his natural feel with horses.

By the early 1960s, he was riding regularly, eventually catching the attention of top trainers in the United States. His breakthrough came in 1965, when he rode Tom Rolfe to victory in the Preakness Stakes. Eight years later, he would etch his name into history alongside a horse who became larger than life.

Secretariat and immortality

The 1973 racing season transformed Turcotte from a skilled jockey into a legend. Secretariat, trained by Lucien Laurin, had already captured the imagination of the public with his blazing speed and powerful stride. But it was Turcotte’s partnership with the horse that brought out the best in him.

After winning the Kentucky Derby in record time, and then powering to victory in the Preakness, the duo lined up for the Belmont Stakes with history on the line. What followed was an athletic performance so staggering that even decades later, it defies belief. Secretariat pulled away from the field with each stride, crossing the finish line 31 lengths ahead in a world-record time that still stands.

Atop Secretariat, Turcotte rose slightly in the saddle as they thundered down the stretch, almost in disbelief at the magnitude of the moment. That image — a jockey in perfect rhythm with his horse — remains one of the most enduring in American sports.

“I just let him run,” Turcotte would later say. “He was doing it all on his own. I was just along for the ride.”

A career of triumphs and trials

Turcotte’s career was filled with remarkable achievements beyond Secretariat. He rode Riva Ridge, another star of Meadow Stable, to wins in the 1972 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. He was also the first jockey to win back-to-back Derbies since 1902.

But tragedy struck in 1978 when a racing accident at Belmont Park left him paralyzed from the waist down. Though his riding career ended that day, Turcotte’s spirit never faltered. He became a tireless advocate for jockey safety and spinal cord injury research, using his own experience to push for better protections for riders.

A humble legend

Despite the fame that came with Secretariat, Turcotte was known for his humility and quiet dignity. He often returned to Canada, where he remained deeply connected to his roots. Fans who met him at signings or racing events frequently described him as approachable, gracious, and deeply proud of his role in racing history.

“Ron was more than just Secretariat’s jockey,” said Penny Chenery, Secretariat’s late owner, in a past interview. “He was part of the heart and soul of that horse. They were a team.”

An enduring legacy

In recognition of his achievements, Turcotte was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1979. His story has been immortalized in books, documentaries, and films, ensuring future generations will know the man behind the reins of Secretariat.

As tributes pour in from across the racing world, the sentiment is clear: Turcotte’s legacy extends beyond trophies and titles. He embodied courage, resilience, and a rare bond with one of history’s greatest athletes.

The final ride

Ron Turcotte’s passing marks the end of an era in horse racing. But his place in history — as the jockey who guided Secretariat into immortality — will never fade. For fans of the sport, the image of Turcotte and Secretariat surging into the record books will forever symbolize the beauty of horse racing at its very best.

He once said that the Belmont victory was “the greatest thrill any man could ever have.” Decades later, for millions who witnessed it and for generations who have watched the replay, it remains one of the greatest thrills in all of sports.

Farewell to Ron Turcotte — a legend whose courage and grace ensured his story, like Secretariat’s, will run forever.

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