ASHLAND, Va. \u2014 Hall of Fame jockey Ron Turcott who guided the greatest racehorse in history Secretariat to an unforgettable Triple Crown victory has passed away, leaving behind a legacy that transcends sports.<\/p>\n
Turcotte, the diminutive Canadian jockey who rode Secretariat to Triple Crown glory in 1973, died August 22 at age 84. The partnership between the 5’2″ rider and the legendary thoroughbred created one of the most iconic moments in sports history.<\/p>\n
Along North Railroad Avenue in Ashland you\u2019ll find a monument dedicated to that time in history.<\/p>\n
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“Secretariat was the best racehorse over the last 100 years,” Kate Tweedy said. Tweedy is the daughter of Secretariat’s owner, the late Penny Chenery. “There is something about it that is just way beyond sports.\u201d<\/p>\n
During five electric weeks in the spring of 1973, the vaunted racehorse from Virginia captured the elusive Triple Crown. The thoroughbred\u2019s record times in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes remain unbroken 52 years later.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe won in such a magnificent style. People still love watching that race,\u201d Tweedy said. \u201cEvery time I watch the Belmont I get goosebumps.”<\/p>\n
In June 1973 at the Belmont Stakes, Kate would witness excellence on hooves up close.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was babbling. We were all babbling. We couldn\u2019t believe what we had seen,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Tweedy’s family, which owned Meadow Farm in Doswell where the foal was born, never predicted their horse would hurtle into history.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was the paragon of horses in so many ways. Speed, stamina, beauty, personality, smarts. He had it all,\u201d Tweedy said.<\/p>\n
Leeanne Ladin remembers watching Secretariat win the Triple Crown on a black and white television while in college at VCU.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is one of those moments in time like the moon landing or something that you remember where you were,\u201d Ladin said. \u201cHe was so popular. He really became an American icon. The most dominant. The greatest horse ever. Because he was equine perfection. And he was athletic perfection.\u201d<\/p>\n
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More than a half century later, Ladin still can\u2019t rein in her excitement.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen he was flying down the racetrack, he was going at least 40 miles,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The President of Secretariat for Virginia says the feats of Big Red most likely won\u2019t ever be surpassed.<\/p>\n
\u201cESPN did a top 100 athletes for the 20th century, and Secretariat, I believe his number was 35,\u201d Ladin said.<\/p>\n
Five decades removed from that stretch of races, Ladin and Tweedy urge others to remember the four-legged phenom did not cross the finish line alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cSecretariat was with his jockey, Ron Turcotte,\u201d Tweedy said.<\/p>\n
Ron Turcotte, the hall of fame jockey in blue and white silks, enjoyed a unique perch while riding perfection.<\/p>\n
\u201cSecretariat was his favorite horse and the pinnacle of his career,\u201d Tweedy said.<\/p>\n
Turcotte\u2019s bond with the champion was so tight the Canadian once said it was love at first ride.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I think there is a certain amount of comfort that Secretariat knew when he had Ron on his back,\u201d Tweedy said.<\/p>\n
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On August 22, the man who guided Big Red into the winner\u2019s circle time and time again passed away.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd he and Secretariat were such a team and gave the world such a moment with their Triple Crown,\u201d Ladin said. \u201cThey were just dialed into each other. Ron just knew when to let Secretariat be Secretariat. And Secretariat loved to run.\u201d<\/p>\n
The diminutive jockey with outsized credentials was 84.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt just inspires us more to keep this wonderful legend alive,\u201d Ladin said.<\/p>\n
Turcotte, who was paralyzed in a horse racing accident in 1978, remembered Secretariat as the perfect specimen.<\/p>\n
\u201cI could hear the announcer and exactly how many lengths I was in front,\u201d recalled Turcotte during an interview with CBS program 60 Minutes in 2013. \u201cI had an eye on the crowd and and eye on the clock.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was really the last of the team. They are all gone now and they were the ones who really felt a link to him,\u201d Tweedy said. \u201cIt feels like the end of an era.\u201d<\/p>\n
Turcotte may have only stood five-foot-two, but he will be remembered as a giant in the sport of horse racing.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, it\u2019s that famous picture of him looking backwards and he is checking the timer, and he knew they were breaking records,\u201d Ladin said.<\/p>\n
In Ashland, the horse and jockey ride in bronze forevermore.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe like to say he is at the center of attention in the Center of the Universe,\u201d Ladin said.<\/p>\n
Secretariat earned global admiration while galloping into greatness.<\/p>\n
Ron Turcotte was the man in the saddle riding a chestnut locomotive to the winner\u2019s circle and beyond.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever you believe, he is reunited with Secretariat and they are riding together into eternity,\u201d Tweedy said. \u201cAnd they are winning! Oh my gosh, are they winning!<\/p>\n
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