"It was love at first ride!" RIP Ron Turcotte

Ron Turcotte, the jockey for Secretariat, has passed away. He was 84.

In addition to his success in racing, most famously as the jockey who piloted The Big Red Machine to his astounding Triple Crown success, Turcotte was a class act on and off the track. In recent years he had been not only active on social media, but gracious and friendly in his interaction with fans, who never tired of asking him what it was like to ride one of the greatest racehorses that ever lived.

Turcotte was the last surviving member of Secretariat's team. Owner Penny Chenery passed away in  2017, trainer Lucien Lauren in 2000, and groom Eddie Sweat in 1998. Secretariat himself died in 1989 at the age of 19.

 

Ride in heavenly pastures, Ron, and thanks for your role in one of this horse-crazy girl's favorite childhood memories.

Updated 8/23/25: A lovely tribute to Turcotte from the the president of Secretariat.com.

 

Countdown to 20

One month from today Sophie will turn twenty years old (God willing). I never thought she'd still be around at this point and I'm truly grateful to still have her. Someday she will be gone and I will miss her terribly.

 

The key thing I've always focused on in terms of keeping her going is quality of life, and except for being thinner than she used to be (due to aging) not much has changed. She's still the same Sophie, she can still jump onto and off the bed, my desk, the bathroom counter, and her favorite chair.

Keeping my fingers crossed...

(These are her most recent pics).