Retired American jockey Steve Cauthen plans to make a comeback for charity later this month.
Although he has not ridden competitively in more than seven years, the three-time British champion said on Tuesday that he intends to take part in the High Hope Steeplechase at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Cauthen, the last jockey to win the American Triple Crown, will ride in the Sportsman's Challenge, a two-mile amateur turf race to benefit Central Kentucky Riding for the Handicapped and the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation on May 21st.
He said: "The charities that this event is held for are great causes, and I'm glad to be a part of it."
Cauthen was only 18 when he became the youngest jockey to win the US Triple Crown aboard Affirmed in 1978. He is best remembered on this side of the Atlantic for his association with Henry Cecil in England which led to his Derby wins on Slip Anchor and Reference Point.
He faced an almost constant battle with the scales and retired in 1993 with just under 3,000 victories.
Although he has not ridden much since his retirement, Cauthen said he has been in training for the race.
"I want to enjoy myself this time," he said. "This is the first time I've ever been able to prepare for a race and eat all I want to. That's a different feeling."
Cauthen remains involved in racing. He owns a breeding operation in Kentucky.
He believes last Saturday's Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus is something special.
"He looks like the most serious contender I've seen in a while," he said.
"He looked awful good to me in the Derby. He's obviously got character, and sometimes, people don't know what to make of that. He sure handled the Derby Day crowd well and travelled through the race terrifically.
"On the face of it, he ought to win the Preakness handily. The question is if he'll be able to go a mile and a half. If he can, and he does win the Triple Crown, I'd love to see it. It would be great for the game."
