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The giant chestnut was not only beautiful in appearance, but also had an amazing and unparalleled toe.
The famous foal – known as "Big Red" – is imposed as the greatest American thoroughbred of all time.
The legendary racehorse sealed the Triple Crown with a remarkable 31-lap win at Belmont Park. For some, it is still the greatest achievement in the history of this sport. He just left his opponents in the dust.
"The records are not a surprise, after the Belmont, he had to rest until August, so I let him run faster," added Turcotte.
"I did not expect him to go so fast.I told the coach that if he did not win the Triple Crown, I would retire." That's how I was sure he was going to win. "
American hero
It was not only Turcotte that Secretariat was leading his career. His stylish performances captured the imagination of an enthusiastic audience from around the world.
Where ever he is, his fans would follow.
"The public just could not get enough. He brought the race back to the golden age, "said Turcotte, now living in New Brunswick, Canada.
"People just loved it – even today, 45 years later, I still get mail every week."
But the pressure of such a favorite never reaches Turcotte. The Canadian was only one with his partner and thought that he was unbeatable when the preparation went smoothly.
"Whenever it was just before a race, I knew it would win.I knew I was on the best horse," he said. "I felt the pressure only when I did not think he should run."
& # 39; A beautiful horse & # 39;
While many could only dream of riding such a special horse, Turcotte had the chance to do so throughout his career.
And despite winning more than 3,000 races during his career, he still remembers the feeling of holding the reign of Secretariat.
"I had never ridden horses able to do what he could," Turcotte said. "He had a big turn every time I asked him.
"No matter what position I was in during a race, I simply lowered my hand and it was going down, galloping and vivifying."
Turcotte knew that he had something special about the hands after the very first encounter with his "dream horse" in 1972.
Initially in the yard to ride on a marveled horse knight, coach Lucien Laurin persuaded Turcotte to set up an inexperienced young colt named Secretariat.
"It was a beautiful horse, like a child overgrown – very kind, nice," Turcotte said. "He would do anything you asked, he was very, very smart.
"He was mentally mature beyond his years, but physically he was a little embarrbading when he was young.
Laurin and Turcotte worked with the two year old chestnut the following winter, seeing enough to convince them of its potential.
"He beat the other horses and was very promising," added the jockey. "I started riding it from the start, which was unusual, because I usually only ride horses running."
Secret of success
The rest, as they say, belongs to history. The year 's double horse broke records of speed almost everywhere he ran – his Kentucky Derby record (1: 59.40) is still current.
As it should, his immortal heritage was cemented in 2010 when Walt Disney produced a film based on his impossible life.
After his death in 1989, at the age of 19, the secret of the secretarial success finally became clear. An autopsy revealed that his heart was more than twice as large as an average equine heart.
"The fact that he won on grbad and clay was another reason for his talent, he was so versatile," said Turcotte, who has also ridden champions such as Damascus and Northern Dancer.
"I may have prejudices but I do not believe that there is a horse that has or can do what he has done."
Turcotte is now the only link still in place with the Secretariat, but it still receives mail from fans to date, demonstrating the horse's power to reconnect the public with the racing industry.
"I would like to thank you for all the experiences that he has given me," said the jockey. "It was something I never expected."
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