Ron Turcotte, who in 1972 rode Secretariat to racing’s first Triple Crown in a quarter-century, died Friday. He was 84.
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame stated: “Ron was a legendary rider and also an inspiration for all he achieved and overcame during his incredible life. Although best known for sweeping the Triple Crown with Secretariat–culminating with a 31-length victory in the 1973 Belmont Stakes – Turcotte’s Hall of Fame career spanned 18 years and more than 3,000 wins.
“As an ambassador for both the sport and the legacy of the great Secretariat, Ron made countless people into fans of racing through his kindness and the time he gave to all, whether telling stories about Big Red, signing autographs, or posing for pictures. He was a fierce competitor on the track and a gentleman off of it. He will forever be remembered as one of the game’s greats.”
The Belmont victory was historic, and I am still grateful I was present to witness it and write about the moment of a lifetime. Secretariat’s solo run to the finish line (he left the rest of the field behind in another dimension) was something I will never forget, a moment out of time.
That famous run.
“With 70 yards to go, I chirped to him to make sure he did not lose focus,” Turcotte told Tom Pedulla when remembering that magnificent airborne gallop.
“He responded by finding still another gear. Sure that the race was won, that Secretariat would be the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years, I was able to soak in everything. The crowd that was going wild. The teletimer. track announcer Chic Anderson’s memorable race call. ‘Secretariat is widening now. He is moving like a tremendous machine!” Turcotte wanted to make sure the big red horse to set a record, and he did.
The jockey’s career was cut short in 1978 when a fall at Belmont Park left him a paraplegic. He made appearances at racetracks to celebrate his career and raise awareness for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. He moved back to his home town of Grand Falls in New Brunswick, Canada, where he was honored with a life-sized statue of himself riding Secretariat.
Turcotte was the last survivor of the triumvirate who oversaw Secretariat’s history-making career. Trainer Lucien Laurin died in 2000 and the horse’s owner, Penny Tweedy, passed away in 2017.