Steve Cauthen

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 at age 16; he finished last, riding King of Swat. He rode his first winner (Red Pipe) 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 weight and moved to the UK, where jockey weights were higher.

Europe

A June 16, 1985, feature story in the New York Times titled "Cauthen's Success Amazes Britain" said "Cauthen was lured to Britain by Robert Sangster." Quoting The Guardian newspaper's Richard Baerlein, a respected racing correspondent for more than 50 years in England, as saying that "He's matured into the perfect jockey." The Times story also reported that "Henry Cecil signed Cauthen to replace Piggott as the main jockey for his powerful stable."

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

Steve 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, Cauthen returned to Kentucky and bought a stud farm. He participated in Prince Edward of the United Kingdom's 1987 charity television special The Grand Knockout Tournament.

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 settled back in Walton and have three daughters.

Major winners

United Kingdom Great Britain

• 1,000 Guineas - Oh So Sharp (1985)
• 2,000 Guineas - Tap on Wood (1979)
• Derby - Slip Anchor (1985), Reference Point (1987)
• King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes - Reference Point (1987)
• Oaks - Oh So Sharp (1985), Diminuendo (1988), Snow Bride (1989)
• St. Leger - Oh So Sharp (1985), Reference Point (1987), Michelozzo (1989)
• Goodwood Cup - Heighlin (1982), Gildoran (1984)
• Yorkshire Oaks - Diminuendo (1988)
• International Stakes - Cormorant Wood (1984), Triptych (1987), In the Groove (1990)
• Nunthorpe Stakes - Sharpo (1982), Never So Bold (1985)
• July Cup - Never So Bold (1985)
• Falmouth Stakes - Meis El-Reem (1984), Chimes of Freedom (1990)
• Cheveley Park Stakes - Desirable (1983)
• Middle Park Stakes - Creag-An-Sgor (1983), Gallic League (1987), Balla Cove (1989), Zieten (1992)
• Sun Chariot Stakes - Cormorant Wood (1983)
• Lockinge Stakes - Motavato (1982), Cormorant Wood (1984)
• Doncaster Cup - Spicy Story (1985)
• Coronation Cup - Time Charter (1984), Triptych (1988), In the Groove (1991)
• Coronation Stakes - Chimes of Freedom (1990)
• King's Stand Stakes - Indian Ridge (1989), Elbio (1991)
• St James's Palace Stakes - Horage (1983), Shavian (1990)
• Ascot Gold Cup - Gildoran (1984), Paean (1987)
• Eclipse Stakes - Pebbles (1985)
• Futurity Trophy - Be My Chief (1989), Peter Davies (1990)
• Nassau Stakes - Nom de Plume (1987)
• Prince of Wales's Stakes - Kind of Hush (1982), Stagecraft (1991)
• British Champions Sprint Stakes - Never So Bold (1984), Wolfhound (1992)
• Champion Stakes - Cormorant Wood (1983), In the Groove (1990)
• Princess Royal Stakes - Snow Bride (1989)

France France

• Grand Prix de Paris - Risk Me (1987), Saumarez (1990)
• Prix du Jockey Club - Old Vic (1989)
• Prix de Saint-Georges - Elbio (1992)
• Prix de Diane - Indian Skimmer (1987)
• Prix Royal-Oak - El Cuite (1986)
• Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp - Committed (1984), Keen Hunter (1991)
• Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud - *Diamond Shoal (1983), Acatenango (1986) *
• Prix Jean Prat - Lapierre (1988), Kitwood (1992)
• Prix Maurice de Gheest - Never So Bold (1984)
• Prix Jacques Le Marois - Lirung (1986)
• Prix d'Ispahan - Indian Skimmer (1989)
• Prix Saint-Alary - Indian Skimmer (1987), Rosefinch (1992)

Ireland Ireland

• Irish 1,000 Guineas - In the Groove (1990)
• Irish Derby - Old Vic (1989)
• Irish Oaks - Diminuendo (dead heat 1988), Possessive Dancer (1991)
• Irish St. Leger - Mashaallah (1992)
• Moyglare Stud Stakes - Chimes of Freedom (1989)
• Tattersalls Gold Cup - Opera House (1992)

Italy Italy

• Gran Premio di Milano - Diamond Shoal (1983), Mashaallah (1992)
• Derby Italiano - Hailsham (1991)
• Gran Criterium - Tanque Verde (1985)
• Gran Premio del Jockey Club - Gold and Ivory (1984)
• Premio Roma - Orban (1987)

Germany Germany

• Bayerisches Zuchtrennen - Imperial Fling (1979)
• Grosser Preis von Baden - Diamond Shoal (1983), Gold and Ivory (1984)
• Preis von Europa - Gold and Ivory (1984)
• Grosser Preis von Bayern - Almaarad (1988)

United States United States

• Kentucky Derby - Affirmed (1978)
• Preakness Stakes - Affirmed (1978)
• Belmont Stakes - Affirmed (1978)
• Hollywood Derby - Affirmed (1978)
• Santa Anita Derby - Affirmed (1978)
• United Nations Stakes - Noble Dancer (1978)
• Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes - Johnny D. (1977)
• Malibu Stakes - J. O. Tobin (1978)
• Belmont Futurity Stakes - Affirmed (1977)
• Laurel Futurity Stakes - Affirmed (1977)
• Hopeful Stakes - Affirmed (1977)

References

References

1. "History of The Sporting News' Athlete of the Year awards: Full list of past winners, 1968-2023". [[The Sporting News]].
2. "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement". [[American Academy of Achievement]].
3. "They love Cauthen, 'No great student' is among greats honored at Golden Plate awards". The Kentucky Press.
4. (December 21, 1977). "Steve Cauthen". The Washington Post.
5. Joe Posnanski. "Zenith and Nadir". [[NBC Sports]].
6. "Steve Cauthen". National Museum of Racing.
7. "Steve Cauthen". Derby Legends.
8. "Steve Cauthen: career profile". [[Racing Post]].
9. (1985-06-16). "Cauthen's Success Amazes Britain". [[New York Times]], Section 5, page 6.
10. Richard Edmondson. (6 November 1998). "Racing: Cauthen finds bluegrass is greener". The Independent.
11. (17 May 1999). "A century of racing - 50 greatest flat jockeys". [[The Racing Post]].