Mike Smith, a 59-year-old jockey, is set to compete in the 2026 Kentucky Derby, marking his 29th appearance in the prestigious race.
What's at stake for Mike Smith?
He will be riding So Happy on Saturday, May 2, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, with a chance to replace Bill Shoemaker as the oldest jockey to win the Derby.
Smith has already won two Kentucky Derby races, with Giacomo in 2005 and Justify in 2018, and is considered a legend in the sport.
Mike Smith's career highlights
He won the Preakness Stakes in 1993 and 2018, and the Belmont Stakes in 2013, 2018, and 2020, with a total of 27 Breeders' Cup race wins.
Smith was born in Roswell, New Mexico, and grew up in the small farming community of Dexter, where he developed his love for horse racing.
What comes next for Mike Smith?
With his experience and skill, Smith is a strong contender for the 2026 Kentucky Derby, and his win would make him the oldest jockey to achieve this feat, surpassing Bill Shoemaker's record set in 1986.
As of 2022, Smith finished 12th with Taibia, but he is back and ready to make history again.
So Happy is his mount for the 2026 Kentucky Derby, and Smith is confident in his abilities to win the race.
Smith's first Derby mount was in 1984, and he has been a consistent player in the sport's most popular race.
With his 29th appearance, Smith is proving that age is just a number, and he is still a force to be reckoned with in the world of horse racing.