Hon. Percy Mockler: Honourable senators, I also want to acknowledge what Senator Dean has said about Senator Marwah. He is quite a Canadian.

Talking about Canadians —

[Translation]

Madam Speaker, I am a little nervous as I rise today to introduce to you a great Canadian.

[English]

Where I come from, we call it “racing into history.”

Honourable senators, it all started in a little town called Drummond, New Brunswick.

[Translation]

Honourable senators, yes, 50 years usually marks an important event in someone’s life or it may be someone’s birthday, but today I wish to highlight the fiftieth anniversary of an event that marked the world of sport. It was the starting point of a legendary journey by Ron Turcotte with Secretariat, nicknamed Big Red. Honourable senators, June 9, 1973, will be forever remembered as a decisive moment and the day of an incredible feat that went down in history.

[English]

Back in the 1970s, Ron Turcotte’s dad, from northwestern New Brunswick, gave him advice; he told him, “Have patience, my son, and build the value of a trusting relationship between man and horse.”

He moved to New York in 1971. This New Brunswick resident embarked on a journey to become the unmatched legendary jockey of the world. Yes, 50 years ago, this young man from my region raised the eyebrows of all of the world. Against all odds, jockey Ron Turcotte and his horse Secretariat, nicknamed “Big Red,” on June 9, 1973, captured the Triple Crown. Mr. Turcotte became internationally famous by winning the first Triple Crown in 25 years, the most legendary races in American history.

Believe me, Ron Turcotte is an icon. The town of Grand Falls and the provincial government have honoured Ron by naming a bridge in the community after him. I also invite you to visit his statue with “Big Red” that was unveiled in 2015 on Broadway Boulevard in his hometown. Disney made a movie called Secretariat in 2010, and the National Film Board of Canada released a documentary, directed by Phil Comeau, on Ron Turcotte’s life and career.

Mr. Turcotte is without a doubt the best, the greatest and a formidable Canadian icon when it comes to horse racing.

[Translation]

To Mr. Turcotte and his family, we say thank you and hats off to you.

[English]

Thank you, Mr. Turcotte.