Ron Turcotte

Jockey Profile

Ron Turcotte

Ron Joseph Morel Turcotte was born on the 22nd of July in 1941 in New Brunswick, Canada.

He started out as a hot walker at Windfields Farm in 1959, but soon graduated to winning races. Whilst he was still an apprentice jockey he rode the legendary racehorse and arguably the most important stallion in the history of the sport, Northern Dancer to his first victory. In 1965 he rode Tom Rolfe to victory in the Preakness Stakes. Turcotte started working with Lucien Laurin soon after in Maryland. In 1972 he won the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes riding Riva Ridge.

He became world famous in 1973 when he won the first Triple Crown in over 25 years riding Secretariat.

His career was cut short in 1978 when he took a tumble off his horse and ended up a paraplegic. In 1979 he was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and in 1980 was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.
Ron Turcotte is the only jockey to have won 5 out of 6 successive Triple Crown races ever. No jockey in North America can claim to have ridden more famous or talented horses, yet his name is far less well known than some of the horses that he piloted.

Ron Turcotte - 10 Notable Wins

1962 - Breeders' Stakes (Crafty Lace)

1963 - Coronation Futurity Stakes (Northern Dancer)

1964 - Canadian International Stakes (Will I Rule)

1965 - Preakness Stakes (Tom Rolfe)

1966 - Tremont Stakes (Wise Exchange)

1967 - Suburban Handicap (Buffle)

1970- Jockey Club Gold Cup (Shuvee)

1972- Kentucky Derby (Riva Ridge)

1973 - Belmont Stakes (Secretariat)

1974 - Sandown Guineas (Prince Dantan)