Ron Turcotte, Secretariat's Hall of Fame Jockey, Dies at 84

Ron Turcotte, the Hall of Fame jockey who guided Secretariat to a historic Triple Crown in 1973, has died at the age of 84 in his home in Drummond, New Brunswick, Canada. His family confirmed through his longtime friend and business partner Leonard Lusky that Turcotte passed away of natural causes on August 22, 2025 [1]. As the rider of the legendary Secretariat, Turcotte became a household name and helped restore the Triple Crown—a race series not completed since 1948—into the spotlight of American horse racing [2].

Born on July 22, 1941, in Drummond, New Brunswick, Turcotte was one of 12 siblings and left school early to work as a lumberjack to support his family. His transition into horse racing began when he moved to Toronto, where he quickly rose through the ranks as a jockey. By 1963, he had already achieved 216 wins, establishing himself as a top rider in Canada [3]. His move to the United States in the early 1970s marked the beginning of a legendary partnership with Secretariat, a horse that would redefine the sport.

Turcotte’s most iconic achievement came in 1973 when he rode Secretariat to victories in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, ending a 25-year Triple Crown drought. His mastery of the sport was evident in the record time of 2:24 in the Belmont Stakes, where Secretariat won by 31 lengths over a 1 1/2-mile distance—a record that still stands 52 years later [2]. Reflecting on the moment in 2023, Turcotte recalled the experience with awe, saying, “I still had a lot of horse when I passed the wire,” adding that the horse “was not tired” [2].

Turcotte’s career was marked by two Triple Crown sweeps, as well as individual wins in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes. Over a nearly two-decade career, he won 3,032 races before a devastating fall at Belmont Park in 1978 left him paralyzed from the waist down. Despite this life-altering injury, Turcotte continued to be a prominent figure in horse racing, devoting his time to supporting fellow injured jockeys through the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund [4].

Colleagues and peers praised Turcotte for his compassion and leadership beyond the racetrack. William J. Punk Jr., chairman of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, described Turcotte as one of the sport’s greatest ambassadors and champions, emphasizing his advocacy for fellow jockeys [4]. Jim Lawson of Woodbine Entertainment called Turcotte “a true Canadian icon,” recognizing his profound impact on the sport [5].

Turcotte was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 1979 and was the last living member of Secretariat’s team following the deaths of the horse’s owner, trainer, and groom [7]. His legacy was also celebrated in the 2010 film Secretariat and in the documentary Secretariat's Jockey: Ron Turcotte, which chronicled his career and his bond with the legendary horse [7].

Throughout his life, Turcotte remained a figure of humility and strength, embodying the values of dedication and kindness. Tributes from the racing community highlighted his enduring influence, with figures such as New York Racing Association president David O’Rourke and Churchill Downs president Mike Anderson praising his character and contributions to the sport [6]. Turcotte’s family described him not just as a jockey, but as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

In a statement, the Turcotte family requested privacy during the planning of a private funeral and suggested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund [8]. As the racing world mourns the loss of a true legend, Turcotte’s legacy will continue to inspire generations of horse racing enthusiasts, and his story will live on as a testament to courage, love for the sport, and unwavering perseverance.

Sources:

[1] The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/22/sports/horse-racing/ron-turcotte-dead.html

[2] BloodHorse, https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/286687/secretariats-hall-of-fame-jockey-turcotte-dies-at-84

[3] Yahoo Sports, https://sports.yahoo.com/horse-racing/breaking-news/article/secretariats-jockey-ron-turcotte-dies-at-84-221259579.html

[4] New York Post, https://nypost.com/2025/08/22/sports/ron-turcotte-secretariats-hall-of-fame-jockey-dead-at-84/

[5] Los Angeles Times, https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2025-08-22/ron-turcotte-secretariat-jockey-dies-obit

[6] National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/horses/horse-racing/2025/08/22/ron-turcotte-legendary-jockey-rider-of-secretariat-dies-at-84/85783015007/

[7] fox10tv.com, https://www.fox10tv.com/2025/08/22/ron-turcotte-hall-fame-jockey-who-rode-secretariat-1973-triple-crown-dies-84/

[8] Chronicle Forums, https://forum.chronofhorse.com/t/rip-ron-turcotte/808923