Legendary jockey Jim Cassidy has come on board as ambassador of the 2016 Wagga Gold Cup carnival.

The recently retired champion rider will spend Gold Cup week in Wagga and be trackside at Murrumbidgee Turf Club for the city’s two biggest days of the year.

As part of the role, Cassidy will canvass leading Sydney trainers and jockeys to attend the carnival.

He will also be the special guest at the Town Plate Luncheon on May 5 and at the President’s Luncheon on Cup day, Friday May 6.

Cassidy is no stranger to the carnival, winning the Gold Cup in 1991 on Greenback, before landing the feature double in 2003 with Kreisler Mirage in the Cup and Ta Ta Tatiana in the Town Plate.

Cassidy, a winner of more than 100 group one races, jumped at the chance to return to Wagga.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Cassidy said.

“I’ve got some great friends in Wagga and I always had a bit of luck riding winners there.

“I want to keep involved in racing, get around to the clubs and say thanks to the people and there is no better place to do it than to start off at Wagga.”

Cassidy believes there will be plenty of interest in the carnival from Sydney.

“I’ll talk to a few trainers to see what they’re bringing down,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to it actually, racing’s been good to me so I’m keen to give something back.”

Cassidy will also attend the Town Plate and Gold Cup calcuttas at the William Farrer Hotel.

He will talk to racegoers at the Punters Podium and take part in feature race presentations on Cup day.

MTC chief executive Scott Sanbrook is thrilled with the coup.

“Jimmy will always be remembered among the best jockeys the world has seen and it’s terrific to have him as a Wagga Cup Carnival ambassador,” Sanbrook said.

“It’s particularly fitting when you consider he won the Cup twice.”