The horse racing world is in mourning following the passing of Canadian racing legend Ron Turcotte, the masterful jockey who piloted the immortal Secretariat to his historic Triple Crown triumph in 1973. He was 86.
Turcotte's family confirmed the sad news, revealing the Hall of Fame jockey passed away peacefully on Sunday morning surrounded by loved ones at his home in Canada.
A partnership for the ages was forged between Turcotte and the mighty Secretariat, a pairing that produced what many consider the greatest performance in sporting history. Their 31-length demolition of the field in the 1973 Belmont Stakes sealed the first Triple Crown in 25 years, a record-breaking feat that remains utterly breathtaking five decades later.
Turcotte's career, though tragically cut short by a paralyzing riding accident in 1978, was defined by his coolness under pressure and his symbiotic connection with the great 'Big Red'. Beyond Secretariat, he also steered another champion, Riva Ridge, to victories in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes in 1972.
In the years following his accident, which left him a paraplegic, Turcotte became a respected and beloved ambassador for the sport. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1979, a testament to his extraordinary skill and contribution to thoroughbred racing.
Tributes have flooded in from across the globe, honouring a man whose name is forever etched into the very fabric of horse racing history. His legacy is not just one of victory, but of unparalleled grace, resilience, and an enduring partnership with the greatest racehorse of all time.
