Retired jockey Ron Turcotte, remembered for driving Secretariat to win the 1973 Triple Crown throughout a Corridor of Fame profession that ended prematurely in 1978 as a consequence of a tragic racing damage, died of pure causes Aug. 22 in his Drummond house outdoors Grand Falls, New Brunswick, in Canada. He was 84.
Turcotte’s household formally introduced his demise via Leonard Lusky, his longtime buddy and enterprise consultant.
“Ron was an ideal jockey and an inspiration to so many, each inside and outdoors the racing world. Whereas he reached the top of success in his vocation, it was his abundance of religion, braveness, and kindness that was the true measure of his greatness,” Lusky stated.
Born in Canada because the third-oldest of 12 youngsters in 1941 in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Turcotte initially supported his household as a teen as a lumberjack earlier than discovering his calling on the racetrack. As a teen, Turcotte linked with E. P. Taylor, the legendary Canadian proprietor and breeder. Turcotte went to Taylor’s farm, hotwalking Thoroughbreds.
Slight in stature, he proved properly suited to changing into a jockey and rode his first winner at Fort Erie Racetrack in Ontario in 1962. By the top of the 12 months, he was the main rider in Canada with 180 wins. In 1963, he once more earned driving honors in Canada with 216 wins earlier than leaving in September to experience in Maryland and later New York and Delaware.
He would go on to large success in the USA. In addition to driving Meadow Steady’s Corridor of Famer Secretariat, Turcotte additionally was the first jockey for Meadow Steady champion and Corridor of Famer Riva Ridge, winner of the 1972 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. Lucien Laurin educated each colts.
Learn America’s Greatest Racing’s Legends Profile of Ron Turcotte
When Turcotte received the 1973 Derby with Secretariat, he grew to become the primary jockey since Jimmy Winkfield in 1902 to win consecutive editions of the race. Turcotte was North America’s main stakes-winning jockey in 1972 and 1973. He was honored with the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award in 1973. Solely Laffit Pincay Jr. earned extra money than Turcotte in 1973 amongst North American jockeys.
Turcotte additionally would experience Corridor of Famers Arts and Letters, Dahlia, Damascus, Darkish Mirage, Fort Marcy, Northern Dancer, and Shuvee along with the Meadow Steady stars. He captured his first Triple Crown race with Tom Rolfe within the 1965 Preakness.
Turcotte’s driving profession was reduce brief on July 13, 1978, when he was unseated from his mount, Flag of Leyte Gulf, in his ultimate race of the afternoon at Belmont Park. His horse clipped heels and stumbled, tossing Turcotte. The rider broke his neck within the fall and was paralyzed from the waist down.
That 12 months, he was awarded a Sovereign Award as Man of the Yr. On the time, the one different males to obtain Man of the Yr honors had been E. P. Taylor and Jack Diamond.
Different honors for Turcotte included Canadian Thoroughbred horse racing’s Avelino Gomez Memorial Award and the Turf Publicists of America’s Large Sport of Turfdom Award. In 1974, Turcotte was inducted into the Order of Canada, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Following his retirement from the saddle, Turcotte made appearances at racetracks to boost cash and consciousness on behalf of the Completely Disabled Jockeys Fund.
Turcotte married his childhood sweetheart, Gaetane, in 1964. The couple has 4 daughters: Tina, Anne, Lynn, and Tammy. After his driving profession ended, he returned to Drummond to dwell on his farm.
“The world could bear in mind Ron because the well-known jockey of Secretariat, however to us he was an exquisite husband, a loving father, grandfather, and an ideal horseman,” the Turcotte household stated in an announcement distributed by Lusky.
Turcotte recovered from setbacks throughout his retirement, together with breaking each legs in a driving accident in 2015 when his van flipped after hitting a snowbank in New Brunswick.
Turcotte was the final surviving member of the people most carefully related to Secretariat’s racing profession. Proprietor Penny Chenery died in 2017 at age 95. Laurin died in 2000.
Secretariat died in 1989, euthanized after growing laminitis.
Secretariat’s Triple Crown marketing campaign and Turcotte’s affiliation with the Meadow Steady champion had been depicted within the 2010 blockbuster movie “Secretariat.” Turcotte was additional the topic of the award-winning documentary “Secretariat’s Jockey: Ron Turcotte,” in addition to a number of books, together with his 1992 biography “The Will to Win” by Invoice Heller.
The household requests privateness whereas plans are formalized for a non-public funeral. In lieu of flowers, the household suggests contributions be made to the PDJF.
Tributes to Turcotte
“Ron Turcotte was a real Canadian icon whose affect on horse racing is immeasurable. From his unbelievable journey aboard Secretariat to his lifelong dedication to the game, Ron carried himself with humility, power, and dignity. His legacy in racing, each right here at Woodbine and world wide, will dwell eternally. We mourn his loss and have fun a life that impressed many.” – Jim Lawson, government chair of Woodbine Leisure
“The Board of Administrators of the Completely Disabled Jockeys Fund and its recipients mourn the passing of one in all our biggest champions and ambassadors. Ron’s tireless advocacy and efforts on behalf of his fellow fallen rider is past measure. Though he’s appropriately acknowledged as a member of the Racing Corridor of Fame for his accomplishments within the saddle, his contributions to the PDJF established him as an enormous within the hearts of all related to this group. His reminiscence and his affect will dwell on eternally. Our ideas and prayers are with Gaëtane, their daughters, and his household and pals at this troublesome time.” – William J. Punk Jr., PDJF chairman
“The Nationwide Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protecting Affiliation joins the complete racing group in mourning the passing of Ron Turcotte, one of many sport’s most celebrated and beloved jockeys. Greatest remembered because the rider of Secretariat in the course of the unforgettable 1973 Triple Crown, Ron’s place in racing historical past is safe. But past the record-breaking victories, he was admired for his humility, braveness and lifelong dedication to Thoroughbred racing. His legacy will eternally be intertwined with the greatness of our sport. On behalf of horsemen and horsewomen throughout the nation, we prolong our deepest condolences to Ron’s household, pals and all who had been touched by his exceptional life.” – The Nationwide Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protecting Affiliation
“Ron Turcotte was an icon and can eternally be fondly remembered because the trusted companion of legendary Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown winner Secretariat, arguably the preferred Thoroughbred in historical past. As a two-time Kentucky Derby winner, Ron’s many accomplishments on the racetrack and his deep ardour for horse racing introduced numerous followers to the game. He shall be drastically missed. We prolong our deepest condolences to his household, pals, and followers all around the world.” – Churchill Downs racetrack president Mike Anderson
“Ron was a legendary rider and in addition an inspiration for all he achieved and overcame throughout his unbelievable life. Though finest identified for sweeping the Triple Crown with Secretariat – culminating with a 31-length victory within the 1973 Belmont Stakes – Turcotte’s Corridor of Fame profession spanned 18 years and greater than 3,000 wins. As an envoy for each the game and the legacy of the nice Secretariat, Ron made numerous folks into followers of racing via his kindness and the time he gave to all, whether or not telling tales about Large Crimson, signing autographs, or posing for photos. He was a fierce competitor on the observe and a gentleman off of it. He’ll eternally be remembered as one of many recreation’s greats.” – Nationwide Museum of Racing and Corridor of Fame
