Steve Cauthen
Steve Cauthen, championship jockey from the United States, has certainly made a name for himself in the horse racing community, a name that will be remembered for decades to come. Born on 1 May 1960 at Kentucky's Covington, horses were always a part of Steve Cauthen's life as his father was both a farrier and trainer in Walton.
As soon as he hit 16 years of age, the legal age for racing as a jockey, Steve Cauthen rode his first race on King of Swat. A week later in May 1976, Cauthen rode Red Pipe to victory. Rocketing into race track stardom, Cauthen was the named USA’s race win leader with some 487 victories. 1977 saw this amazing young jockey receiving the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey as well as the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey. He also had his face posted on the front cover of ‘Sports Illustrated’ as Sportsman of the Year. In 1978 Steve Cauthen won the Triple Crown aboard Affirmed, as the youngest jockey to ever do so.
During the 1980s Cauthen began racing in England which allows higher jockey weights. The decision was made as he reached adulthood and his weight became a concern. Cauthen experienced extensive success on the English circuit. He was named England’s champion jockey on three occasions and also won English classics such as the Epsom Derby (2 times), Two Thousand Guineas and St. Leger Stakes (3 times). In 1989 Steve Cauthen had the honor of riding Old Vic, who was European Horse of the Year, to a victorious end at the French Derby and Irish Derby.
Steve Cauthen retired from racing as a jockey and went home to Kentucky. He now serves as an executive at Turfway Park, the thrill of racing still coursing through his veins. The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame inducted Steve Cauthen in 1994.
