Every so often, you hear the phrase "end of an era." We have heard it countless times in sports, and it can definitely be applied to Thoroughbred racing.

It was the end of an era when Laffit Pincay, Jr. retired in 2003. It was also the end of an era when Bill Shoemaker called it a career in 1990. Both men were among the best jockeys of all time even back then, and that stature for each of them has only grown.

But if you go back long before either of those years, an end of an era came when another legendary jockey retired.

After more than 6,000 wins, multiple riding titles, a Hall of Fame induction and a Triple Crown aboard Count Fleet in 1943, Johnny Longden made his final start as a jockey in the 1966 San Juan Capistrano at Santa Anita.

No stranger to success in the marathon turf race, Longden owned multiple victories in the San Juan Capistrano. How great would it be to get not just one more win in that race, but to wrap up his storied career with another trip to the winners' circle?

But even if victory in the finale eluded him, the day was not going to be a total loss. Longden had actually scored a victory earlier in the card, so he could at least say he was a race winner one more time by nightfall.

For his final mount, Longden rode George Royal, the defending champion of the San Juan Capistrano. Longden was no doubt the sentimental favorite in the feature race, but George Royal did not receive top billing on the tote board. Though not a longshot by any means, George Royal was the fourth choice in the wagering at over 6-1. The favorite for the 1966 San Juan Capistrano was Hill Rise, who finished third in the 1965 renewal. He sought to move up two places in this particular race, while George Royal attempted to defend his crown. Joining them were Cedar Key, winner of the San Luis Rey Stakes earlier in the meeting; Plaque, second in the San Luis Rey; and the stakes-placed Tom Cat, among others.

Thousand of fans were on hand at Santa Anita, the grandstand jammed with people as they watched the fifty-nine year old Longden attempt to add one more win to his Hall of Fame resume.

Starting from the farthest post of all in the nine slot, Longden and George Royal raced down the hillside turf with the rest of the field. Fans saw the rider make his penultimate trip around the frontstretch, getting another look at greatness as Longden's career wound down. It makes one wonder what people in the stands thought as the San Juan Capistrano unfolded. Longden's family was there, feeling immense pride at what he achieved during his time in the saddle. Fans might have experienced a mix of excitement and sadness, hoping Longden would get that fairytale ending while thinking back to times they watched him in action. Longden was a part of the local racing scene for a long time, and by extension, he was a part of the lives of thousands who followed the sport.

Longden and George Royal found themselves racing at the back of the main pack going into the far turn. Knowing to bide his time in a long race such as this one, Longden began his rally as the backstretch run concluded. He and George Royal moved up swiftly on the outside, overtaking horses in quick order. By the time they reached the last stretch run, the duo had a shot to repeat in the San Juan Capistrano. All that stood between them now was Plaque, who raced to their inside.

What followed next was a fantastic stretch battle that gave Longden's last ride a flair for the dramatic. Neither horse gave an inch as the wire inched closer. With the San Juan Capistrano on the line, the stretch provided Longden the opportunity to showcase his trademark. Known for years as "The Pumper" with the way he urged a horse with the reins, Longden did just on that on George Royal.

The fans gave their share of urging, too. Their voices combined to form a huge roar as the San Juan Capistrano came down to George Royal and Plaque. Longden continued using his hands, communicating silently with his mount. George Royal had fight within him, and he surged with just a couple of jumps left as the crowd screamed in approval as he gave Longden the perfect conclusion to decades of riding. George Royal got up to win by a nose, making himself only the third horse to win two San Juan Capistranos.

That also made Longden a five-time winner of the venerable turf race, but this one was by far the most memorable. As the victory celebration got underway, Longden was smiling and waving to the fans as they applauded him and basked in what instantly turned into one of Santa Anita's greatest moments. Though a bittersweet day given Longden was retiring, this was the best outcome imaginable for the living legend, and the audience paid tribute to one of the turf's grand masters.

Though Longden continued to be involved in the sport as a trainer (he would later guide Majestic Prince to victory in the 1969 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes), it was the end of an era. Never again would he ride competitively.

But he would never fade away, either. That was not possible. Many in the stands that day had watched Longden in action for years, on hand for an untold number of victories that could be handed down as stories to the next generation. Others might have only been recently introduced to Longden, but they had that one moment with him they could tell to future racing fans.<.p>

But no matter their familiarity with Longden, everyone at Santa Anita on that afternoon could all say they were witness to greatness along with one of the truly popular moments in California racing history.

And that moment will live on for many eras to come.