The retired baldy-faced galloper, who won 19 races, including eight at group 1 level, will lead the field out onto the track ahead of the $200,000 feature on Sunday, November 25.

Ballarat Turf Club chief executive Lachlan McKenzie said the horse would also be available for photos during the afternoon.

“To have a horse of the calibre of Apache Cat on course as well will be a fabulous drawcard for raceday patrons,” McKenzie said.

Online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au is behind the initiative.

Formerly trained by Greg Eurell, Apache Cat became one of the most popular horses of his era before he was retired after suffering a serious leg injury in 2009.

The horse, which won more than $4.5million in prizemoney, is currently staying at Living Legends retirement farm in Greenvale alongside other racing greats such as Better Loosen Up, Brew, Doriemus, Fields of Omagh and Might and Power.