Ron Turcotte, Legendary Jockey of Secretariat, Passes Away at 84
Ron Turcotte, the iconic jockey who rode Secretariat to a historic Triple Crown victory in 1973, has died at the age of 84. According to his long-time friend and business partner, Leonard Lusky, Turcotte’s death was due to natural causes, and he passed away in his home near Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Canada.
Turcotte’s remarkable career in horse racing spanned nearly two decades, from 1961 to 1978, during which he won an impressive 3,023 races and earned over $28 million in lifetime earnings. His achievements on the track earned him a place in six different halls of fame, including the National Racing Hall of Fame in 1979 and the Canadian Sport Hall of Fame in 1980.
A Career-Defining Ride on Secretariat
Of all his victories, Turcotte is perhaps most remembered for his ride on Secretariat, which won the Triple Crown and Belmont Stakes by an unprecedented margin. In an interview in 2023, marking the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s Triple Crown win, Turcotte recalled the moment, saying, “I couldn’t hear the announcer all the time, and he said how far I was in front. I knew I was pretty far in front because I couldn’t hear any other horses hitting the floor behind me. When I got to the quarter pole, I could hardly see it, and I looked at the clock and saw 1:59 on my board, which was faster than we were in the Derby.”
Despite being paralyzed from the waist down in a riding accident in 1978, which forced him to retire from racing, Turcotte remained an ambassador for the sport, often appearing at major racing events to sign autographs and take photos. He also dedicated a significant portion of his later years to raising awareness and support for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF).
A Legacy of Excellence and Dedication
Turcotte’s family has announced plans for a private funeral and has requested that donations be made to the PDJF in lieu of flowers. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Gaetane, and their four daughters: Tina, Ann, Lynn, and Tammy. As the racing world mourns the loss of this legendary jockey, his legacy continues to inspire and captivate audiences, reminding us of the power and beauty of horse racing.
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Source: www.latimes.com
