They formed an unlikely duo - a magnificent, powerful horse too large for a typical saddle, paired with a humble, striking 5'4" Canadian jockey. By the 1970s, Secretariat and Ron Turcotte were household names across North America.
These were turbulent and divisive times in the United States. The Vietnam War concluded in what many saw as a defeat for the country, and the Watergate scandal forced President Nixon to resign. The nation craved uplifting stories and heroes to lift its spirits amid the political turmoil and scandals.
The triumphs of Secretariat and Turcotte provided just that—a refreshing escape. Their victories were seen as straightforward, devoid of controversy or deceit; these were pure athletic contests where true talent prevailed. In 1973, they became the first team in 25 years to secure the American Triple Crown while setting new race records at every event.
After clinching the first two legs of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, the names Turcotte and Secretariat dominated headlines. Secretariat’s racing technique was mesmerising: he would often start at the back of the pack, gradually gain momentum, and swiftly pass competitor after competitor. Bettors were divided, with some passionately backing him, while others remained sceptical, igniting fervent discussions throughout the nation.
On June 9, during the final leg of the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes, nearly 70,000 spectators filled the stands, and CBS broadcast the event to an audience of 15 million. Secretariat crossed the finish line with an astonishing lead of 31 lengths ahead of the runner-up, Sham. Witnessing this legendary finish, viewers were overcome with emotion, many expressing their joy with tears of exhilaration.
Ron Turcotte, The Beginning of the Journey
To lead a horse to victory, it is not enough to be a good jockey, to be short and light. You need something else, character, charisma, intelligence. And you also need to love the horse. Ron Turcotte was born in June 1941 in the village of Drummond, New Brunswick, Canada. The family had nothing to do with racing, and Ron did not think about a jockey career. According to him, he did not even know then what a jockey was. He aspired to follow in his father's footsteps and become a lumberjack. Growing up in a modest household with 12 siblings, space was limited, and amenities like running water and central heating were absent. The children were engaged in various chores, tending to animals, hunting, and fishing.
At just 14, Ron Turcotte left school to join his father in the logging industry. The work proved to be incredibly gruelling for a boy of his slight stature, but he persisted through sheer determination. Eventually, his father, Fred, decided to move him away from logging and introduced him to work with horses. While hauling timber with the horses, Ron developed a deep understanding of them and honed his skills in managing the animals.
As time went on, Turcotte realised that a career as a lumberjack was not sustainable for him. His small size made the physically demanding work in the woods detrimental to his health, and he observed few lumberjacks achieving significant wealth. In search of better opportunities, he and his brother travelled to Toronto to work in roofing. Unfortunately, they arrived during a carpenters' strike, leaving them without construction work. Instead, they found jobs as dishwashers in a restaurant and spent their nights collecting worms for a company that sold them as fishing bait.
Encouraged by a friend, Turcotte attempted twice to secure a position at the Woodbine racetrack but was turned away each time for lacking a pass. However, on his third attempt, luck was on his side. After hitchhiking to the Woodbine grounds, he secured a job at E. P. Taylor's Windfields Farm stable, a turning point that would not only impact his life but also the world of horse racing.
Career Highlights
In 1960, Ron Turcotte began his journey in the racing industry as a hot walker at a farm, tending to exhausted horses after their training sessions. Despite being the most entry-level and low-paying role in the field, Ron viewed it as a fortunate opportunity. However, he had greater aspirations.
Turcotte quickly transitioned from hot walker to jockey, making significant strides in his training. By 1962, he was recognized as Canada’s top jockey, achieving over 100 more victories than the next competitor in his second year alone.
His talent caught the eye of the management at Windfields Farm, who assigned him to ride the legendary Northern Dancer at the Coronation Futurity Stakes in 1963. Under his guidance, the horse emerged victorious.
Turcotte gained national recognition in the United States after winning the Preakness Stakes in 1965 aboard Tom Rolfe, representing Powhatan Stable. He subsequently teamed up with renowned trainer Lucien Laurin at the Laurel, Maryland racetrack, eventually relocating to New York City, where he worked with some of the nation’s finest thoroughbreds. The year before teaming up with Secretariat, Turcotte clinched victory at both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes with Riva Ridge. With his triumphs on Secretariat, he became the only jockey to win five consecutive Triple Crown races.
In 18 seasons, Ron Turcotte had 3,032 wins, 2,897 second and 2,559 third. His horses earned $28,606,490 during these years.
With his temperament and iron will, jockey Ronald Turcotte could have performed for a long time. At the height of his fame, on July 13, 1978, he left the sport.
Life Beyond Racing
At the Belmont Racetrack, Ron Turcotte experienced a life-altering accident when he fell from his horse, resulting in a broken spine at the age of 37. Although he had a promising future ahead, he found himself navigating life from a wheelchair.
Turcotte candidly reflects on the inherent dangers of being a jockey, a reality that often goes unrecognised by the young and daring individuals drawn to the profession. However, life thrust him into a stark awareness of the risks involved in racing. After becoming paralyzed from the waist down, he faced additional challenges, including a bout of meningitis that left him in a coma, followed by another surgery.
Throughout this ordeal, his devoted wife and four daughters remained by his side, providing unwavering support and love that kept his spirits high and motivated him to rebuild his life. Eventually, the family relocated to New Brunswick, where Turcotte stayed active by raising cattle and planting a forest of 300,000 trees.
Once his children completed their studies, Turcotte returned to the racing circuits in the U.S. and Canada, focusing on philanthropy and fundraising efforts for programs dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Foundation for the Assistance of Disabled Riders.
In 2010, the biographical film "Secretariat," produced by Walt Disney Pictures, was released, followed by "Secretariat's Jockey Ron Turcotte" in 2013. A notable highlight came in 2015, with the unveiling of a monument in his hometown of Grand Falls, depicting a bronze statue of Secretariat and Turcotte at the finish line of Belmont Park. The monument, inspired by an iconic photograph of Turcotte ensuring he was far ahead of his competitors, holds a special place in his heart.
For Turcotte—who boasts numerous accolades and honours—this recognition in his homeland is among his most cherished accomplishments. While similar monuments exist in Kentucky, New York, and Calgary, the one in Grand Falls is uniquely meaningful to him. Today, surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren, he feels like the happiest man in the world, celebrating victories in family, business, and life itself.