Ron Turcotte, Jockey Who Rode Secretariat to Triple Crown, Dies at 84

Family Of Horse Racing Icon Ron Turcotte Announces His Death

Legendary jockey Ron Turcotte passed away from natural causes in his home outside of Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Canada on August 22nd. He was 84 years old. The Turcotte family announced his death through Leonard Lusky, the beloved thoroughbred racer’s longtime friend and business representative.

Ron Turcotte is most famously known for riding Meadow Stable’s Secretariat to history-making wins at the 1973 Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes, securing the coveted Triple Crown. At the time, it had been 25 years since a jockey had reached the feat.

“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,” wrote Lusky.

In the press release shared on Secretariat.com, the Turcotte family shared:

“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.”

Ron Turcotte’s Career & Legacy

Born on July 22nd, 1941, Ron Turcotte began his racing career in 1961 at the age of 20. He won more than 3,000 races over the next 17 years. His run was cut tragically short on July 13, 1978 when the then 36-year-old suffered a fall at Belmont Park resulting in severe spinal cord damage that left him paralyzed from the waist down.

The legendary rider has been inducted into six Halls of Fame, including the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. He was the recipient of countless awards and accolades during his lifetime, including the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award and the Turf Publicists of America Big Sport of Turfdom Award.

In 1974, Turcotte was inducted into the Order of Canada – the nation’s highest civilian honor. Additionally, he was named Canadian Racing’s Man of the Year in 1978.

Turcotte is survived by his wife Gaetane, and four daughters, Lynn, Ann, Tina, and Tammy. The family has requested privacy in the wake of his death, and plans to hold a private funeral. Those who wish to remember Turcotte can make donations in his honor to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF).

The PDJF remembered Turcotte in a statement which read:

“The Board of Directors of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and its recipients mourn the passing of one our greatest champions and ambassadors. Ron’s tireless advocacy and efforts on behalf of his fellow fallen rider is beyond measure…”

Read the full statement in the post below. Rest in peace, Ron Turcotte!