When Johnny Longden retired from competitive race-riding in 1966, he exited his illustrious career with a plethora of accomplishments.

Chief among those were his induction into the National Racing Hall of Fame, the fact he held the world record for most wins by a jockey with 6,032, and the Triple Crown in 1943 with Count Fleet.

What is perhaps among the most surprising facts of Longden's career is that 1943 stands as the only year in which he won any Triple Crown race. A review of the record books will find that the jockey known as The Pumper captured one Kentucky Derby, one Preakness, and one Belmont Stakes. Given Longden's talent, it is not surprising he triumphed in all three of the classics. But at the same time, it is surprising that he only took each race once in his long and tremendous career.

But little did Longden know after he took victory in his final race in the 1966 San Juan Capistrano aboard George Royal that the Kentucky Derby would beckon him again just three years later.

Longden never rode on the first Saturday in May again, but he was back on the Derby scene in 1969 as a trainer. And his horse for the annual classic was Majestic Prince.

A son of Raise a Native, who has gone on to be in the family tree of many Derby champions, Majestic Prince went into the Kentucky Derby undefeated. Largely competing in California, he went into the Run for the Roses off victories in the Santa Anita Derby and later the Stepping Stone Purse at Churchill Downs a week before the Kentucky Derby. He was part of a small field that year, but it was a field that included Everglades and Blue Grass Stakes champion Arts and Letters, Gotham and Wood Memorial Stakes winner Dike, and Flamingo and Florida Derby titlist Top Knight, who had also been the previous seasons Champion Two-Year-Old.

Of the eight contestants that met up for the Derby, Majestic Prince earned the most support at the betting windows at 7-5. But Arts and Letters, Dike and Top Knight were not all that far behind in the wagering. The 95th Kentucky Derby seemed to have the look of a wide open race as the field prepared to make that special mile and one-quarter excursion under the Twin Spires.

The early lead went to longshot Ocean Roar as Arts and Letters settled into second with Top Knight racing on the inside in third. Majestic Prince and Bill Hartack were racing wide. To their inside was Rae Jet, who was sandwiched between the Santa Anita Derby winner and Fleet Allied as Dike and Traffic Mark were in the back.

Majestic Prince climbed to third as he battled with Top Knight and Arts and Letters going into the backstretch. Ocean Roar continued guiding the way uncontested for a few moments, but Top Knight was ready to go on. He drew level with the pacesetter and then took control, but Majestic Prince and Arts and Letters were right there with the leading duo. And in a matter of seconds, they took over first and second.

Arts and Letters took a move from Top Knight's playbook and made his bid on the inside. Majestic Prince moved up to second on the outside, and he was right with Arts and Letters as the stretch run loomed. Dike sought to make an impact as he rallied into third place with a rush.

As the crowd became raucous, Majestic Prince and Arts and Letters turned for home. The old East-West rivalry that has long been a part of Thoroughbred racing was set to produce its latest chapter, and the two protagonists were bringing out the best in each other as they began the final stretch run. Dike continued with his challenge, not letting the two get too far ahead. Majestic Prince had taken a narrow lead before the three-sixteenths pole, but Arts and Letters was not finished. He fought back as they ran towards the wire together. Dike was putting forth effort, but he was not catching the leaders like he needed to.

With one more furlong to navigate, Majestic Prince and Arts and Letters were separated by little. That turned out to be the case at the wire, too. After an epic stretch battle, Majestic Prince held off Arts and Letters by a head along with a hard charging Dike to win the Kentucky Derby. That put him in company with the likes of Hill Gail and Swaps as he became the latest horse to sweep the Santa Anita and Kentucky Derbies, which has long grown into a highly respected club.

But the day of May 3, 1969, became one of the most memorable of Johnny Longden's life and career. Twenty-six years had gone by since he took the 1943 Kentucky Derby with Count Fleet. Now, he had won the race a second time, but probably not in a way he had imagined even when he retired three years before. As Majestic Prince became the 95th Kentucky Derby champion, history paid Longden another visit like it had during his riding days.

Three years after his last ride, Longden now stood as the first man to win the Kentucky Derby as a jockey and trainer. More than fifty years after that amazing feat, The Pumper is still the only man to experience that unique double.

It is interesting how something rare or unprecedented can happen in sports on any given day. When everyone tuned in to watch the 1969 Kentucky Derby on television or traveled to Churchill Downs to witness the race live, they readied themselves to see who would win the biggest race of the year.

They saw a classic finish thanks to Majestic Prince and Arts and Letters. But they saw something equally special as history smiled on Johnny Longden once again.