Ron Turcotte

Ron Turcotte (1941 to 2025) was a Canadian Thoroughbred jockey, born in Drummond, New Brunswick, and best known as the rider of Secretariat, who won the 1973 United States Triple Crown under him, the first in 25 years. He began as a hot walker at Windfields Farm in Toronto in 1960, rode Riva Ridge to win the 1972 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, and was North America's leading stakes-winning jockey in 1972 and 1973. A fall at Belmont Park on July 13, 1978 ended his career and left him a paraplegic. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1979, and was the first person from Thoroughbred racing appointed to the Order of Canada. He died in Drummond on August 22, 2025.