Twenty years after his tearful acceptance speech, jockey Chris McCarron will be the guest speaker at the 2009 Hall of Fame induction ceremony August 14.

McCarron, 54, was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1989 near the midpoint of an honors-filled 28-year riding career. Among his 7,141 victories are six wins in Triple Crown races and nine wins in the Breeders’ Cup.

The founder and executive director of the North American Racing Academy in Lexington, Ky., McCarron is the third Hall of Fame member – following John Nerud in 1994 and D. Wayne Lukas in 2004 – to accept an invitation to speak at the ceremony.

“I’m incredibly flattered and excited about it,” McCarron said. “To be able to stand up in front of a group of esteemed individuals, people who have been involved in the racing industry for decades, as well as the fans who have supported the game for a long period of time, is a true honor.

“I really feel blessed to be able to share my thoughts and insights about racing and my school and the need for a place for young men and women to train how to take on the tremendous responsibility of riding a Thoroughbred.”

During his career, McCarron won virtually every major race in North America. His Kentucky Derby victories came on Alysheba in 1987 and Go for Gin in 1994. Five of the Breeders’ Cup wins came in the Classic, including back-to-back victories on Tiznow, who was elected to the Hall of Fame this year.

When he retired, McCarron was the career leader in purse money earned, $264 million, and ranked sixth in victories.

Following his retirement, McCarron was the general manager at Santa Anita Park for nearly two years. He has extensive experience as a television racing commentator, worked as technical advisor and played a role in the movie “Seabiscuit” and founded the school for jockeys. In 1987, McCarron, his wife Judy and comedian Tim Conway co-founded the Donald MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund, which assists disabled jockeys and their families.

More can be found on the Racing Hall of Fame's web-site.