Steve Cauthen


Steve Cauthen 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.
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 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 less than a week later, at River Downs.
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.
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.
He had increasing problems making the weight and moved to the UK, where jockey weights were higher.

Europe

In his first race in the UK in April 1979 he rode Marquee Universal to victory at Salisbury.
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.

Retirement

After he finished his riding career, he returned to Kentucky and bought a stud farm.
In 1999, the Racing Post ranked Cauthen as eighth in their list of the Top 50 jockeys of the 20th century.
Cauthen and his wife, Amy have three daughters.

Major winners

Great Britain
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France
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Ireland
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Italy
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United States