‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 21: American Pharoah Jockey Victor Espinoza Joins Celebrity Cast
Champion jockey Victor will compete on “Dancing With the Stars.”
— -- Victor Espinoza rode his way into history on American Pharoah, and now the Triple Crown champion is setting his sights on the mirror ball trophy as the newest contestant on the upcoming season of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” the show announced on Tuesday.
The announcement was made on ESPN2’s SportsNation. Asked whether he considered himself a good dancer, a smiling Espinoza replied, “no.”
The 43-year-old jockey rose from humble beginnings in Mexico to ride some of the most successful mounts in recent history.
Ridden by Espinoza, American Pharoah raced to first-place at the Belmont Stakes in June. The horse became the first to win the Triple Crown -– comprising the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont races -- since 1978.
In 2002, Espinoza won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness riding War Emblem. In 2014, he rode California Chrome to victory at the Derby and Preakness.
Espinoza won the Best Jockey award at the 2015 ESPYs last month.
In addition to being a winning jockey, Espinoza has a philanthropic streak.
For years, Espinoza has donated a portion of his winnings to City of Hope, a California-based cancer research and treatment center. He donated his entire earnings from this year’s Belmont Stakes to the center.
Espinoza is the second announced celebrity who will compete on the 21st season of “Dancing.” Bindi Irwin, the 17-year-old daughter of the late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin, will also join the celebrity cast, the show announced yesterday on “Good Morning America.”
More of the new celebrity cast will be revealed on “GMA” on Wednesday, Sept. 2. The new season of “Dancing” premieres at 8 p.m. Eastern time on Monday, Sept. 14, on ABC.
ABC News’ Emily Shapiro contributed to this report.