'Winning the World Cup on Cigar was like being an Olympian'

What advice would you give your ten-year-old self?
Work hard, be kind and never take yourself too seriously. And, with my personality, take all things in moderation.

When you were riding would you rather have topped the money list in a year or won the Kentucky Derby?
It's really difficult because both are hard to do, but I would go with the Kentucky Derby. Winning the Eclipse award as top jockey was my annual goal and although most often that came with the money title, a Derby win along with a near miss among the top earners was enough to gain the honour.

What's the best bet you've ever had?
I was at Hialeah racecourse in 1984 with my best friend and fellow rider Brian Fann when a beautiful blonde walked by with her camera crew. It was apparent she was a TV reporter there to cover the Flamingo Stakes, which was a major Kentucky Derby prep race. I bet Brian I could get her number, to which he replied, "You would need to win the big race for that to happen and you're a longshot for that as well!" I won the race and got her number, and I'm still married to Suzee to this day.