The horse racing world is in mourning following the sudden death of Ron Turcotte, the legendary jockey who guided Secretariat to a historic Triple Crown victory in 1973. Turcotte passed away on August 22, 2025, at his home in Drummond, New Brunswick, Canada, at the age of 84. His family, through longtime friend and business partner Leonard Lusky, announced that the Canada-born jockey died of natural causes, dispelling rumors among some fans that his death was related to injuries from a fall. Turcotte’s legacy, defined by his extraordinary career and his profound impact on the sport, will endure as one of the greatest in horse racing history.

Born on July 22, 1941, in Drummond, New Brunswick, as one of 12 children, Turcotte’s journey to becoming a Hall of Fame jockey was anything but conventional. Leaving school at 14 to work as a lumberjack alongside his father, he developed a deep understanding of horses, learning patience and trust that would later define his success in the saddle. At 18, he moved to Toronto seeking construction work but found his calling at Woodbine Racetrack, starting as a hot walker for Windfields Farm. His natural talent and work ethic quickly propelled him to the role of apprentice jockey, where he rode Northern Dancer to its first victory, marking the beginning of an illustrious career.

Turcotte’s rise to prominence came in the 1960s, with a standout victory in the 1965 Preakness Stakes aboard Tom Rolfe. By 1972, he had cemented his status as a top jockey, riding Riva Ridge to victories in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, narrowly missing the Triple Crown due to a muddy track in the Preakness. However, it was his partnership with Secretariat, the iconic chestnut colt nicknamed “Big Red,” that etched his name into history. In 1973, Turcotte rode Secretariat to a Triple Crown sweep, breaking a 25-year drought since Citation’s victory in 1948. The Belmont Stakes that year remains one of the most iconic moments in sports, with Secretariat winning by an astonishing 31 lengths in a still-standing record time of 2:24. Turcotte’s glance over his shoulder during the race, checking for a field that was nowhere in sight, became an enduring image of dominance.

Throughout his nearly two-decade career, Turcotte amassed 3,032 wins and over $28.6 million in earnings, riding other Hall of Fame horses like Arts and Letters, Damascus, and Shuvee. He was North America’s leading stakes-winning jockey in 1972 and 1973 and became the first jockey since Jimmy Winkfield in 1902 to win consecutive Kentucky Derbies. His achievements earned him induction into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 1979, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1980, and the prestigious Order of Canada, a first for anyone in thoroughbred racing.

Tragically, Turcotte’s career ended in 1978 after a fall at Belmont Park left him paralyzed from the waist down. Despite this life-altering injury, he became a tireless advocate for injured jockeys, raising funds and awareness for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). His courage and compassion off the track earned him as much admiration as his victories on it. “While his courage as a jockey was on full display to a nation of adoring fans, it was after he faced a life-altering injury that we learned about the true character of Ron Turcotte,” said David O’Rourke, president and CEO of the New York Racing Association.

Turcotte’s humility and kindness were legendary. Friends and fans recall his willingness to sign autographs, pose for pictures, and share stories about Secretariat, whom he described as “love at first ride.” In his hometown of Grand Falls, New Brunswick, a statue of Turcotte and Secretariat stands as a testament to his legacy, where locals left flowers in his memory following his passing. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Gaetane, and their four daughters, Tina, Ann, Lynn, and Tammy.

The racing community has expressed profound grief, with tributes pouring in from Churchill Downs, Woodbine, and jockeys at Saratoga Race Course. “Ron was a true Canadian icon whose impact on horse racing is immeasurable,” said Jim Lawson, executive chair of Woodbine Entertainment. His family’s statement echoed this sentiment: “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.” Turcotte’s life, marked by triumphs and resilience, will forever inspire racing fans worldwide.