The Turcottes

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary Triple Crown Win of the legendary Secretariat and rider Ron Turcotte, writer Curtis Stock has composed a book on the legendary Turcotte family.  Here is a link with information on how to get a copy of The Turcottes:The Remarkable Story of a Horse Racing Dynasty. A remarkable rags to riches family story filled with horrific tragedies, euphoric accomplishments, and persistence.

Here is what Firefly Books, the publishing house of The Turcottes, has to say about the book.

"Fifty years ago, Secretariat, a horse so brilliantly fast and powerful that many of his records still stand, completed his historic Triple Crown victory. Secretariat's rider was Ron Turcotte, a master of his craft who grew up as one of 14 children in the small lumberjack town of Drummond, New Brunswick.

Four other Turcottes - Noel, Rudy, Roger, and Yves - followed their older brother onto North American racetracks and into the winner's circle. The Turcottes: The Remarkable Story of a Horse Racing Dynasty is the story of this family's journey from their little corner of the woods to the top of the thoroughbred racing world. Each Turcotte found outstanding success, collectively winning a staggering 8,251 races for purse earnings just shy of $60 million. The name Turcotte meant one thing in thoroughbred racing: winning.

But the jockey's life takes a toll. Each brother was in a neverending battle to maintain his riding weight. Noel, Rudy, and Roger fought the bottle. And then came the losses, the injuries, and the heartbreaks. The unlikely triumph of one of horse racing's greatest families was not without tragedy.

Drawing upon over 30 years of reporting and interviews, journalist Curtis Stock takes readers on an unforgettable ride through the major players and race days of thoroughbred racing. Part biography, part oral history, and part creative nonfiction, The Turcottes: The Remarkable Story of a Horse Racing Dynasty is a true underdog story and a sure bet for any sports fan."

Ron Turcotte set the stage and the wheels in motion for his younger brothers and their descendents to enjoy careers in Thoroughbred Horse Racing.

Secretariat:Triple Crown 10 Jun 1973, Sun Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph (Colorado Springs, Colorado) Newspapers.com

RON TURCOTTE BIO

Thoroughbred Racing and Ron Turcotte bio

The racing of thoroughbred horses on enclosed tracks. The most famous of these are the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Preakness, etc... Thoroughbred is a horse breed developed for horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are considered "hot-blooded" horses that are known for their agility, speed, and spirit.

Secretariat.com glance at rider Ron Turcotte ‣ Ron Turcotte

A quick bio on legendary rider Ron Turcotte. Ron Turcotte bio

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Ron Turcotte

Ron Turcotte - Riva Ridge and Secretariat’s Hall of Fame Rider. Ron Turcotte bio

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Life and career bio of Ron Turcotte ‣ Ron Turcotte

Ron Turcotte life and horse racing career biography sketch. Ron Turcotte bio

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Possibly Ron Turcotte's most famous victory, the 1973 Belmont Stakes:

Here are some of Ron Turcotte's more famous thoroughbred rides that he took to victory. I think one in particular will be a familiar name to you.

RODE BY RON TURCOTTE

Thoroughbred Racing and rode by Ron Turcotte

The racing of thoroughbred horses on enclosed tracks. The most famous of these are the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Preakness, etc... Thoroughbred is a horse breed developed for horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are considered "hot-blooded" horses that are known for their agility, speed, and spirit.

Riva Ridge

Born April 13, 1969, at the Claiborne Farm, Riva Ridge was a Thoroughbred racehorse, the winner of the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes in 1972.Rode by Ron Turcotte

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Tom Rolfe

Born April 14, 1962 was American Thoroughbred racehorse and sire, Tom Rolfe. T.R. was the leading colt of his generation in the United States, winning the Preakness Stakes, with rider Ron Turcotte and being voted American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse in 1965. SIred at the Claiborne Farm. Rode by Ron Turcotte

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Secretariat

Born March 30, 1970, also known as Big Red, was Secretariat, a champion American thoroughbred racehorse who is the ninth winner of the American Triple Crown, setting and still holding the fastest time record in all three races. He is regarded as one of the greatest racehorses of all time. The famous victory at the 1973 Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths with jockey Ron Turcotte onboard might be the most famous win in the history of thoroughbred racing. Rode by Ron Turcotte.

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Ron may have been the first brother of the New Brunswick Turcotte family to suceed in horse racing but he was most certainly not the last one.

TURCOTTE FAMILY

Thoroughbred Racing and Turcotte Family

The racing of thoroughbred horses on enclosed tracks. The most famous of these are the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Preakness, etc... Thoroughbred is a horse breed developed for horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are considered "hot-blooded" horses that are known for their agility, speed, and spirit.

Roger Turcotte

Roger Turcotte, 19, exercising Scotty Boo at Lansom Farm near Woodbine track yesteday, will be fourth Turcotte to become jockey when he makes debut soon. Turcotte Family

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Yves Turcotte

Recovering Krone Is Ready to Ride : Horse racing: Jockey will resume race riding next week, months after career-threatening spill. Turcotte Family.

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Rider Rudy Turcotte passes ‣ Rudy Turcotte

Rudy Turcotte, a thoroughbred rider who enjoyed several top seasons in the 1970s. Rudy was one of the famous Turcottes, a family of successful Canadian riders that dominated racing in the 1970s. Brothers Ron Turcotte, Noel Turcotte, Yves Turcotte. Turcotte Family

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We appreciate our guest Curtis Stock and his publisher Firefly Books for sending us an advanced copy of the book to prepare for the discussion. We also thank Mr. Stock for taking the time to join us in the chat, and for sharing such a compelling story on the Turcotte horse racing family. Don't forget to get your own copy at The Turcottes.

Image of the book is courtesy of Curtis Stock and Firefly Books Ltd. Banner backgorund is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, titled "Horse Racing spectators watch the horse races at the Victoria Park Race Track in Adelaide. Jockeys are preparing their horses with a warm up routine. The exact location and date of this photo is unknown, however it appears to be circa 1910s."