Asmussen to Assist Lone Star Park in Cup Effort

Lone Star Park has enlisted the services of former French riding champion Cash Asmussen to assist the Grand Prairie, Texas, track in its efforts to host the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.

Under the agreement, Asmussen, a native of Texas, will become Lone Star Park's international spokesperson.

"Cash has been one of the most influential racing figures in Europe for the last two decades and is a great ambassador for horse racing," said Lone Star Park president and general manager Corey Johnsen. "With him being a native Texan, this makes for a perfect fit as we continue to work towards hosting the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships."

Asmussen, the older brother of Lone Star Park leading trainer Steve Asmussen, fluently speaks English, French and Spanish. He received an Eclipse Award as leading North American apprentice jockey in 1979 and relocated to Europe three years later. The winner of five French riding titles, Asmussen rode the winners of 90 group 1 races. Among the races he won were the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Breeders' Cup Mile, Japan Cup, four French Derbys and two Irish Derbys. Among the top horses ridden by Asmussen during his career were Suave Dancer, Hernando, Spinning World, Montjeu and Kingmambo.

Since his retirement as a jockey in 2001, Cash Asmussen has been involved with his family's racing and breeding business at the El Primero Training Center in Laredo, Texas, which he runs in partnership with his father Keith.

Last year, Lone Star Park was added to a conditional rotation of tracks to host the Breeders' Cup and the two organizations are in negotiations to finalize a deal, according to a press release from Lone Star Park.