Recipient Information
State of Residence: Kentucky
Injury: Paralyzed
Year of Injury: 1978
In Memory: July 22, 1941 – August 22, 2025
THEIR STORY
The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund is proud to honor the legacy of one of racing’s greatest champions, Ron Turcotte.
Best known for his iconic Triple Crown victories aboard Secretariat, Ron’s career included 3,032 wins, back-to-back years leading the jockey stakes list (1972 & 1973), the prestigious George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, and induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1979.
Ron’s riding career ended abruptly on July 13, 1978, after a devastating fall at Belmont Park that left him paralyzed. Yet even after his accident, Ron’s courage and commitment to his fellow riders never wavered. He dedicated his life to advocacy for disabled jockeys, making countless appearances at racetracks and charity events to raise support for the PDJF. His generosity, determination, and spirit left an indelible mark on the sport.
Everyone at the PDJF will forever be grateful for Ron’s achievements, his advocacy, and his heart. In memory of the legendary Ron Turcotte, we invite you to consider making a donation to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and continuing his legacy of supporting injured riders.
Recipient Testimonial
I have always loved horses; they have always been a part of my life and being able to earn a living riding them was a dream come true for me. I think that most riders will tell you that racing has a way of getting into your blood. There can be tough days to be sure: races lost, opportunities missed and disappointments along the way. All-in-all though, I always considered myself lucky to be able to make a living in a profession I enjoyed. Crossing the finish line first after a hard-fought duel down the stretch, or a well-timed run coming from behind, is a feeling that I still remember fondly.
It is a fact that most riders come to realize that riding races is a dangerous sport but that is something that you just push to the back of your mind. You don’t stop and dwell on that aspect of the game or you could never do justice to your horse, the owners, trainers and the public. I do believe that the racing fans are a very important and essential part of the sport. For me personally, they have also given me a great deal of support and encouragement since my injury. It feels good to know that you are not forgotten even after all those years.
A permanently disabling injury can really turn someone’s life upside down and it is very important to know that there is help when it is needed. I would like to thank the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund Board for continuing to grow this program to make it permanent so that one day assistance to these jockeys will always be there. I would like to thank everyone in racing that supports this program each year to maintain the level of funding that is needed to keep this fund strong. I encourage those that have not supported this program to reconsider because of the good work that is being done. In particular I would like to thank the fans of racing who support this sport and its athletes.”
