**Ron Turcotte, Legendary Jockey of Secretariat, Passes Away at 84**
Ron Turcotte, the renowned jockey who guided the iconic racehorse Secretariat to a historic Triple Crown victory in 1973, has passed away at the age of 84. His family announced that he died of natural causes on Friday at his home in Drummond, New Brunswick, Canada.
Turcotte’s longtime business partner and friend, Leonard Lusky, shared heartfelt sentiments about the jockey’s legacy, stating, “Ron was a great jockey and an inspiration to so many, both within and outside the racing world. While he reached the pinnacle of success in his vocation, it was his abundance of faith, courage, and kindness that was the true measure of his greatness.”
Inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 1979, Turcotte is remembered not only for his remarkable achievements on the racetrack but also as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. The Turcotte family expressed their pride in his accomplishments, saying, “The world may remember Ron as the famous jockey of Secretariat, but to us, he was a wonderful husband, a loving father, grandfather, and a great horseman.”
Throughout his illustrious career, Turcotte won over 3,000 races, including two Kentucky Derbies, two Preakness Stakes, and two Belmont Stakes. His most notable achievement came when he rode Secretariat to victory in all three races, ending a 25-year drought for the Triple Crown that had last been achieved by Citation in 1948. Secretariat’s record time of 2:24 in the Belmont Stakes, winning by an astonishing 31 lengths, remains unbroken after 52 years.
Born on July 22, 1941, in Drummond, Turcotte was one of 12 children. He began his career in horse racing after leaving school to work as a lumberjack, eventually moving to Toronto where he started as a hotwalker before becoming a jockey. He quickly rose to prominence, becoming the leading rider at Woodbine Racetrack.
Jim Lawson, chairman of Woodbine, praised Turcotte as “a true Canadian icon whose impact on horse racing is immeasurable.” He added, “Ron carried himself with humility, strength, and dignity. His legacy in racing, both here at Woodbine and around the world, will live forever.”
Turcotte’s career took a tragic turn in 1978 when he suffered a fall during a race, resulting in paraplegia. Despite this setback, he remained a beloved figure in the racing community. Reflecting on his time with Secretariat, Turcotte described it as “love at first ride,” emphasizing the unique talent of the horse. “He was the type of horse that you’ll never see again,” he remarked in 2023, nearly 50 years after their historic Belmont victory.
As the racing world mourns the loss of Ron Turcotte, his contributions to the sport and his inspiring character will be remembered for generations to come.
**FAQ**
**What were Ron Turcotte’s major achievements in horse racing?**
Ron Turcotte is best known for riding Secretariat to a Triple Crown victory in 1973, winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. He also won over 3,000 races throughout his career and was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 1979.
