Steve Cauthen
Steve Cauthen (born May 1, 1960) is an American jockey who is now retired.
In 1977 he became the first jockey to win over $6 million in a year, and in 1978 he became the youngest jockey to win the U. S. Triple Crown. Cauthen is the only jockey ever named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year.[1]
After riding for a few years in the United States, he began racing in Europe. He is the only jockey to have won both the Kentucky Derby and the Epsom Derby.
Background
Cauthen, the son of a trainer and a farrier, grew up in Walton, Kentucky around horses, which (along with his small size) made race-riding a logical career choice.
Racing career
North America
He rode his first race on May 12, 1976 at Churchill Downs; he finished last, riding King of Swat. He rode his first winner (Red Pipe) less than a week later, at River Downs.[2]
He was the nation's leader in race wins in 1977 with 487. In only his second year of riding, he became the first jockey to win $6 million in a single season, passing that mark in December 1977. [2]
In 1978 he became the youngest jockey to ever win the U. S. Triple Crown, riding Affirmed, and he was named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year.[3]
He had increasing problems making the weight and moved to the UK, where jockey weights were higher.[4]
Europe
In his first race in the UK in April 1979 he rode Marquee Universal to victory at Salisbury.[5]
Cauthen was British Champion Jockey three times, and won English classic races ten times, including the 2,000 Guineas, the Derby twice, and the St Leger three times. In 1985 he won three Classics riding Oh So Sharp. In 1989 he rode European Horse of the Year Old Vic to victory in the French Derby and the Irish Derby. In 1991 he won the Italian Derby on Hailsham.[4]
Retirement
After he finished his riding career, he returned to Kentucky and bought a stud farm.[4]
In 1999, the Racing Post ranked Cauthen as eighth in their list of the Top 50 jockeys of the 20th century.[6]
He is married to Amy and they have three daughters.[7]
Major winners
- 1,000 Guineas[1] - Oh So Sharp (1985)
- 2,000 Guineas - Tap on Wood (1979)
- Derby[6] - Slip Anchor (1985), Reference Point (1987)
- King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes - Reference Point (1987)
- Oaks - Oh So Sharp (1985),[1] Diminuendo (1988), Snow Bride (1989)
- St. Leger - Oh So Sharp (1985),[1] Reference Point (1987), Michelozzo (1989)
- Grand Prix de Paris - Risk Me (1987), Saumarez (1990)
- French Derby[2] - Old Vic (1989)
- Irish 1,000 Guineas - In the Groove (1990)
- Irish Derby[2] - Old Vic (1989)
- Irish Oaks - Diminuendo (dead heat 1988), Possessive Dancer (1991)
- Irish St. Leger - Mashaallah (1992)
- Derby Italiano[2] - Hailsham (1991)
- Gran Criterium - Tanque Verde (1985)
- Kentucky Derby - Affirmed (1978)
- Preakness Stakes - Affirmed (1978)
- Belmont Stakes - Affirmed (1978)
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Joe Posnanski. "Zenith and Nadir". NBC Sports. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Steve Cauthen". National Museum of Racing. Retrieved 10 September 2018. .
- ↑ "Steve Cauthen". Derby Legends. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
- 1 2 3 "Steve Cauthen: career profile". Racing Post. CenturyComm. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
- ↑ Richard Edmondson (6 November 1998). "Racing: Cauthen finds bluegrass is greener". The Independent. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
- 1 2 "A century of racing - 50 greatest flat jockeys". The Racing Post. 17 May 1999. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
- ↑ "Cauthen remembers the glory years". Mail Online.
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