'The feeling of exhilaration when you win the Kentucky Derby is mind boggling'

What advice would you give your ten-year-old self?
Work harder for a longer period of time. I worked hard up until I was about 40 and from there I kind of went into cruise control. I was still riding well and the money was getting better, but I chose to cut back on the number of rides I was taking. I don't know if I was getting lazy or older, so I'd say work as hard as you can for as long as you can.

What gave you more pleasure, topping the money list or winning the Kentucky Derby?
I think I'm more proud of topping the money list when I retired. The Kentucky Derby is obviously our biggest race and it's the one everyone desires to win, but winning it boils down to being in the right place at the right time. Everything has to fall into place, whereas the money title is a lot of hard work, determination and consistency.

Which of your big-race wins meant most to you?
The Kentucky Derby for sure. It's not even close. I won it twice on Alysheba in 1987 and on Go For Gin in 1994 and think the first one was a little more exciting simply because it was the first and the feeling of exhilaration is mind boggling.