In 1972, Ron Turcotte shot to world-wide fame aboard Riva Ridge as he won both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. The following year, he rode the legendary Secretariat to his incredible, record setting, Triple Crown win.
Childhood
Ron Joseph Morel Turcotte was born on July 22, 1941 in Drummond, New Brunswick, Canada. Turcotte was one of twelve children born to Fred and Rose Turcotte. The Turcottes lived a very traditional French-Canadian lifestyle.
They lived in a small house without central heating or running water. They slept two and three to a bed, and shared an outhouse which was heated by a wood stove. The family raised animals and hunted and fished for their food.
At the age of 14, he began working with his father at a logging company to help care for the family. His work as a lumber jack is accredited for his strong riding style.
Entering the Racing Industry
In 1959, unemployment forced Turcotte to look elsewhere for a career. He began working at Windfields Farm in Toronto as a hotwalker and groom.
It was not long before Turcotte was wearing the silks as an apprentice jockey. His first victory came aboard Northern Dancer in 1962. Turcotte was Canada's jockey of the year in 1962 and 1963.
Turcotte then began riding in the United States and in 1965 he rode Tom Rolfe to victory in the Preakness Stakes. It was not long before Lucien Lauren took notice.
Hitting the Big Time
Ron Turcotte has never kept it a secret that Riva Ridge was his favorite. Turcotte was the horse's primary jockey, and the two had a very successful partnership. In 1972, Turcotte rode Riva Ridge to victories in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont.
The following year, Turcotte rode Riva Ridge's stablemate, Secretariat to the first Triple Crown victory in twenty-five years. L'Heureux quoted Turcotte as saying that "[Secretariat] was the kindest of animals, but big and clumsy... He wasn’t spooky, he was calm, like a big riding pony."
With Secretariat's 1973 win, Turcotte became the first jockey since 1902 to win two back-to-back Kentucky Derbies. He is the only jockey to win five of the six consecutive Triple Crown races. Turcotte was the winningest jockey of 1972 and 1973.
The (Tragic) End of an Era
Tragically, just 5 years after winning the most prestigious crown in racing, Turcotte's career was ended by a horrific accident. At the start of a race at Belmont Park, Turcotte fell from his horse. The injuries sustained during the fall left him a paraplegic.
Awards
The racing industry made sure that Turcotte's accomplishments would not be forgotten. He was inducted to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1979. He also received the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award; this award is reserved specifically for those whose personal conduct is outstanding and considered one of the most exemplary participants in thoroughbred racing.
Present Day
Turcotte is very well known in his hometown of Grand Falls, where he resides with his wife Gae and their four daughters. He also frequents the Van Buren, Maine post office to pick up his mail and chat with fans.
It is worth noting that after retirement, Turcotte received his high school diploma from Caribou High School in Grand Falls.
Turcotte now spends most of his time advocating for the disabled.
Sources
Secretariat.com
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame (racingmuseum.org)
horseracing.com
L'Heureux, Juliana. "French-Canadian Jockey a Horse Racing Legend." Le Forum, University of Maine, 2001.
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