Which jockey rode Secretariat to his 1973 Triple Crown victories?

Ron Turcotte rode Secretariat to his 1973 Triple Crown victories.

Turcotte was Secretariat’s regular jockey during the horse’s historic three-year-old campaign. Together they won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, making Secretariat the ninth American Triple Crown winner.

Their Belmont performance was the most spectacular. Turcotte allowed Secretariat to settle early before the colt drew steadily away from the field, winning by 31 lengths in a record 2:24. Turcotte’s calm handling helped preserve Secretariat’s rhythm over the long distance.

Turcotte is sometimes confused with jockeys who rode other Triple Crown winners, such as Bill Shoemaker, who partnered Swaps and later Ferdinand, or Eddie Arcaro, who rode both Whirlaway and Citation. Turcotte’s defining association is with Secretariat.