Cash Asmussen
Brian Keith Asmussen was born in Agar of South Dakota on 15 March 1962. In 1977 he had his name legally changed to Cash Asmussen as he is known throughout the horse racing community. A fantastic international jockey, Asmussen has had a major impact on horse racing wherever he has gone.
Cash Asmussen was raised in Texas where his parents run a successful ranch in El Paso. His younger brother, Steve Asmussen, has become a renowned championship racehorse trainer. Cash Asmussen shot to fame in 1979 when he gained a victory at the graded stake of Beldame Stakes. That same year he received the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey. He once again gained recognition in 1981 when won Belmont Park’s Coaching Club American Oaks. From there he went to Japan and captured the Japan Cup. 1982 brought successes in the Turf Classic Invitational Stakes and Washington DC International. That year he moved to France to jockey for Stavros Niarchos. Cash Asmussen remained in France between 1982 and 2000. Whilst operating from France, Asmussen gained several English and Irish victories such as the July Cup, Coronation Cup, Irish St. Leger and St. James’ Palace Stakes. 1993 saw Cash winning the Canadian International Stakes. Five times in his career he was designated France’s Champion Jockey. In the year 2000 he returned to the United States to ride for his brother.
Cash Asmussen retired in 2001. From the beginning to the end of his competitive racing career Asmussen gained over 3,000 wins. He also gained fame along with Steve Cauthen for bringing the American crouch style to Europe. Together with his family, Cash Asmussen is developing a new racetrack in their Texan locality. The love of horses certainly runs through Asmussen’s veins as he plans to begin horse breeding. Highly admired by both professionals in the racing industry and thoroughbred racing enthusiasts, Cash has certainly become etched in thoroughbred horse racing history.