Willie Carson will be the guest of honour for the 2012 Investec Derby Festival at Epsom Racecourse on June 1 and 2 to kick off the Diamond Jubilee weekend celebrations, writes Nick Gentry.
Carson is a fitting guest having won the 1977 Oaks at Epsom riding the Queen’s horse, Dunfermline, during teh Queen’s silver jubilee year.
The BBC presenter is the fourth most successful jockey ever having won 17 British Classic Races and 11 Irish Classics in a 34-year career that took in a total of 3,828 races.
And he insisted he was honoured to be back at Epsom for next year’s celebrations.
“Winning the Oaks at Epsom for Her Majesty in her Silver Jubilee year was very special,” he said.
“I am honoured to be invited back as the Guest of Honour at the 2012 Investec Derby, especially for such an important year, celebrating the Diamond Jubilee.
“This will be a fabulous opening event of the weekend celebrations.”
The role was taken by Walter Swinburn last year.
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