Retired jockey Ron Turcotte, remembered for riding Secretariat to win the 1973 Triple Crown during a Hall of Fame career that ended prematurely in 1978 due to a tragic racing injury, died of natural causes Aug. 22 in his Drummond home outside Grand Falls, New Brunswick, in Canada. He was 84.

Turcotte’s family formally announced his death through Leonard Lusky, his longtime friend and business representative.

“Ron was a great jockey and an inspiration to so many, both within and outside the racing world. While he reached the pinnacle of success in his vocation, it was his abundance of faith, courage, and kindness that was the true measure of his greatness,” Lusky said.

Born in Canada as the third-oldest of 12 children in 1941 in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Turcotte initially supported his family as a teenager as a lumberjack before finding his calling at the racetrack. As a teenager, Turcotte connected with E. P. Taylor, the legendary Canadian owner and breeder. Turcotte went to Taylor’s farm, hotwalking Thoroughbreds.

Slight in stature, he proved well suited to becoming a jockey and rode his first winner at Fort Erie Racetrack in Ontario in 1962. By the end of the year, he was the leading rider in Canada with 180 wins. In 1963, he again earned riding honors in Canada with 216 wins before leaving in September to ride in Maryland and later New York and Delaware.

He would go on to massive success in the United States. Besides riding Meadow Stable’s Hall of Famer Secretariat, Turcotte also was the primary jockey for Meadow Stable champion and Hall of Famer Riva Ridge, winner of the 1972 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. Lucien Laurin trained both colts.

Read America’s Best Racing’s Legends Profile of Ron Turcotte

When Turcotte won the 1973 Derby with Secretariat, he became the first jockey since Jimmy Winkfield in 1902 to win consecutive editions of the race. Turcotte was North America’s leading stakes-winning jockey in 1972 and 1973. He was honored with the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award in 1973. Only Laffit Pincay Jr. earned more money than Turcotte in 1973 among North American jockeys.

Ron Turcotte (Keeneland Library/Thoroughbred Times)

Turcotte also would ride Hall of Famers Arts and Letters, Dahlia, Damascus, Dark Mirage, Fort Marcy, Northern Dancer, and Shuvee in addition to the Meadow Stable stars. He captured his first Triple Crown race with Tom Rolfe in the 1965 Preakness.

Turcotte’s riding career was cut short on July 13, 1978, when he was unseated from his mount, Flag of Leyte Gulf, in his final race of the afternoon at Belmont Park. His horse clipped heels and stumbled, tossing Turcotte. The rider broke his neck in the fall and was paralyzed from the waist down.

That year, he was awarded a Sovereign Award as Man of the Year. At the time, the only other men to receive Man of the Year honors were E. P. Taylor and Jack Diamond.

Other honors for Turcotte included Canadian Thoroughbred horse racing’s Avelino Gomez Memorial Award and the Turf Publicists of America’s Big Sport of Turfdom Award. In 1974, Turcotte was inducted into the Order of Canada, the country’s highest civilian honor.

Following his retirement from the saddle, Turcotte made appearances at racetracks to raise money and awareness on behalf of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

Turcotte married his childhood sweetheart, Gaetane, in 1964. The couple has four daughters: Tina, Anne, Lynn, and Tammy. After his riding career ended, he returned to Drummond to live on his farm.

“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,” the Turcotte family said in a statement distributed by Lusky.

Turcotte recovered from setbacks during his retirement, including breaking both legs in a driving accident in 2015 when his van flipped after hitting a snowbank in New Brunswick.

Turcotte was the last surviving member of the individuals most closely associated with Secretariat’s racing career. Owner Penny Chenery died in 2017 at age 95. Laurin died in 2000.

Secretariat died in 1989, euthanized after developing laminitis.

Secretariat’s Triple Crown campaign and Turcotte’s association with the Meadow Stable champion were depicted in the 2010 blockbuster film “Secretariat.” Turcotte was further the subject of the award-winning documentary “Secretariat’s Jockey: Ron Turcotte,” as well as several books, including his 1992 biography “The Will to Win” by Bill Heller.

The family requests privacy while plans are formalized for a private funeral. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the PDJF.

Tributes to Turcotte

Turcotte in 2007. (Skip Dickstein/BloodHorse)

“Ron Turcotte was a true Canadian icon whose impact on horse racing is immeasurable. From his incredible journey aboard Secretariat to his lifelong commitment to the sport, Ron carried himself with humility, strength, and dignity. His legacy in racing, both here at Woodbine and around the world, will live forever. We mourn his loss and celebrate a life that inspired many.” – Jim Lawson, executive chair of Woodbine Entertainment

“The Board of Directors of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and its recipients mourn the passing of one of our greatest champions and ambassadors. Ron’s tireless advocacy and efforts on behalf of his fellow fallen rider is beyond measure. Although he is appropriately recognized as a member of the Racing Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in the saddle, his contributions to the PDJF established him as a giant in the hearts of all associated with this organization. His memory and his impact will live on forever. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gaëtane, their daughters, and his family and friends at this difficult time.” – William J. Punk Jr., PDJF chairman

“The National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association joins the entire racing community in mourning the passing of Ron Turcotte, one of the sport’s most celebrated and beloved jockeys. Best remembered as the rider of Secretariat during the unforgettable 1973 Triple Crown, Ron’s place in racing history is secure. Yet beyond the record-breaking victories, he was admired for his humility, courage and lifelong dedication to Thoroughbred racing.  His legacy will forever be intertwined with the greatness of our sport. On behalf of horsemen and horsewomen across the country, we extend our deepest condolences to Ron’s family, friends and all who were touched by his remarkable life.” – The National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association

“Ron Turcotte was an icon and will forever be fondly remembered as the trusted partner of legendary Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown winner Secretariat, arguably the most popular Thoroughbred in history. As a two-time Kentucky Derby winner, Ron’s many accomplishments on the racetrack and his deep passion for horse racing brought countless fans to the sport. He will be greatly missed. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and fans all over the world.” – Churchill Downs racetrack president Mike Anderson

“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.” – National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame