View source for Steve Cauthen

{{short description|American jockey|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox horseracing personality
|name        = Steve Cauthen
|image       =Steve Cauthen 2014.jpg
|caption  =Steve Cauthen at the 2014 Belmont Stakes
|occupation  = [[Jockey]]
|birth_place = [[Walton, Kentucky]], U.S.<ref name=nmr/>
|birth_date  =  {{Birth date and age|1960|5|1}}
|death_date  = 
|career wins = 2,794
|race        = [[Excelsior Breeders' Cup Handicap]] (1977)<br />[[Hollywood Derby]] (1978)<br />[[United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing|United States Triple Crown]] (1978)<br />[[2,000 Guineas Stakes|2,000 Guineas]] (1979)<br />[[1,000 Guineas Stakes|1,000 Guineas]] (1985)<br />[[Ascot Gold Cup]] (1984, 1987)<br />[[Epsom Derby]] (1985, 1987)<br />[[King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes]] (1987)<br />[[Epsom Oaks]] (1985, 1988, 1989)<br />[[St. Leger Stakes]] (1985, 1987, 1989)<br />[[Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud]] (1983, 1986)<br />[[Grosser Preis von Baden]] (1983, 1985)<br />[[Irish Derby]] (1989)<br />[[Irish Oaks]] (1988, 1991)<br />[[Derby Italiano]] (1991)<br />[[Gran Premio del Jockey Club]] (1984)
|awards      = [[United States Champion Jockey by earnings]] (1977)<br />[[Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey]] (1977)<br />[[Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey]] (1977)<br />[[Eclipse Award of Merit]] (1977)<br />[[George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award]] (1984)<br />[[British flat racing Champion Jockey|British Champion Jockey]] (1984, 1985, 1987)
|honours     = [[Associated Press Athlete of the Year]] (1977)<br />''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' -  [[Sportsman of the Year]] (1977)<br />Golden Plate Award, [[Academy of Achievement|American Academy of Achievement]] (1978)<ref>{{cite web|title= Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement |website=www.achievement.org|publisher=[[American Academy of Achievement]]|url= https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/#sports}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title= They love Cauthen, 'No great student' is among greats honored at Golden Plate awards|publisher= The Kentucky Press |url= https://achievement.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/The-Kentucky-Press-June-24-1978.pdf}}</ref><br />[[National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame|United States Racing Hall of Fame]] (1994)<br />[[British Champions Series Hall of Fame]] (2023)
|horses      = [[Affirmed]], [[Old Vic (horse)|Old Vic]], [[Arazi (horse)|Arazi]], [[Mashaallah (horse)|Mashaallah]], [[Keen Hunter (horse)|Keen Hunter]], [[Possessive Dancer (horse)|Possessive Dancer]], [[Diminuendo (horse)|Diminuendo]], [[Chimes of Freedom (horse)|Chimes of Freedom]], [[Gold and Ivory]], [[Triptych (horse)|Triptych]], [[Pebbles (horse)|Pebbles]], [[Oh So Sharp]], [[Slip Anchor]], [[Reference Point (horse)|Reference Point]], [[Saumarez (horse)|Saumarez]], [[Never So Bold]], [[Indian Skimmer (horse)|Indian Skimmer]], [[Tap On Wood]]
|updated     = January 16, 2007
}}
{{Jockey colours named collapsible header
| name = 1000 Guineas (1) }}
{{Jockey colours row
| year = 1985
| image1 = File:Owner Sheikh Mohammed.svg
| alt1 = Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star
| caption1 = Oh So Sharp
| image2 = File:Owner Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum.svg
| alt2 = Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap
| caption2 = Al Bahathri
| image3 = File:Owner Helena Springfield Ltd.svg
| alt3 = Black, white spots, black sleeves, white cap
| caption3 = Bella Colora
}}
{{Jockey colours no footer}}
{{Jockey colours named collapsible header
| name = 2000 Guineas (1) }}
{{Jockey colours row
| year = 1979
| image1 = File:Owner Mr A D Shead.svg
| alt1 = Light green and black stripes, light green sleeves
| caption1 = Tap On Wood
| image2 = File:Owner Gillian, Lady Howard de Walden.svg
| alt2 = Apricot
| caption2 = Kris
| image3 = File:Owner a ward.svg
| alt3 = Emerald green, orange braces and cap, hooped sleeves
| caption3 = Young Generation
}}
{{Jockey colours no footer}}
{{Jockey colours named collapsible header
| name = Derby (2) }}
{{Jockey colours row
| year = 1985
| image1 = File:Owner Gillian, Lady Howard de Walden.svg
| alt1 = Apricot
| caption1 = Slip Anchor
| image2 = File:Owner Niarchos Family.svg
| alt2 = Dark blue, light blue cross belts, striped sleeves, white cap
| caption2 = Law Society
| image3 = File:Owner Mr K Abdulla.svg
| alt3 = Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves
| caption3 = Damister
}}
{{Jockey colours row
| year = 1987
| image1 = File:Owner Cliveden Stud.svg
| alt1 = Yellow, black spots, yellow sleeves and cap
| caption1 = Reference Point
| image2 = File:Owner Mollers Racing.svg
| alt2 = Chocolate, Gold braid and sleeves, quartered cap
| caption2 = Most Welcome
| image3 = File:Owner Mr K Abdulla.svg
| alt3 = Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves
| caption3 = Bellotto
}}
{{Jockey colours no footer}}
{{Jockey colours named collapsible header
| name = Oaks (3) }}
{{Jockey colours row
| year = 1985
| image1 = File:Owner Sheikh Mohammed.svg
| alt1 = Maroon, white sleeves and star on cap
| caption1 = Oh So Sharp
| image2 = File:Owner a clore.svg
| alt2 = Light blue, mauve halved sleeves
| caption2 = Triptych
| image3 = File:Owner Mr Mohamed Obaida.svg
| alt3 = Royal blue, red epaulets, striped cap
| caption3 = Dubian
}}
{{Jockey colours row
| year = 1988
| image1 = File:Owner Sheikh Mohammed.svg
| alt1 = Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star
| caption1 = Diminuendo
| image2 = File:Owner Princess Lucy Ruspoli.svg
| alt2 = Red, blue sash, white sleeves, blue cap
| caption2 = Sudden Love
| image3 = File:Owner Wertheimer and Frere.svg
| alt3 = Blue, white seams, sleeves and cap
| caption3 = Animatrice
}}
{{Jockey colours row
| year = 1989
| image1 = File:Owner Mr Saeed Maktoum Al Maktoum.svg
| alt1 = Light green, white chevron, striped sleeves
| caption1 = Snow Bride
| image2 = File:Owner H H Aga Khan.svg
| alt2 = GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap
| caption2 = Aliysa
| image3 = File:Owner Lady Carolyn Warren.svg
| alt3 = Scarlet, blue collar, white cap
| caption3 = Roseate Tern
}}
{{Jockey colours no footer}}
{{Jockey colours named collapsible header
| name = St Leger (3) }}
{{Jockey colours row
| year = 1985
| image1 = File:Owner Sheikh Mohammed.svg
| alt1 = Maroon, white sleeves and star on cap
| caption1 = Oh So Sharp
| image2 = File:Owner Mr S Karmel.svg
| alt2 = White, maroon braces and armlets, striped cap
| caption2 = Phardante
| image3 = File:Owner Lucayan Stud.svg
| alt3 = Black, white chevron hoop, white cap
| caption3 = Lanfranco
}}
{{Jockey colours row
| year = 1987
| image1 = File:Owner Cliveden Stud.svg
| alt1 = Yellow, black spots, yellow sleeves and cap
| caption1 = Reference Point
| image2 = File:Owner Pin Oak Stable LLC.svg
| alt2 = Grey, blue stripes on body, blue cap
| caption2 = Mountain Kingdom
| image3 = File:Owner Mr M H Dixon.svg
| alt3 = Crimson, silver braid
| caption3 = Dry Dock
}}
{{Jockey colours row
| year = 1989
| image1 = File:Owner Lucayan Stud.svg
| alt1 = Black, white chevron hoop, white cap
| caption1 = Michelozzo
| image2 = File:Owner Marquesa de Moratalla.svg
| alt2 = Red, pale green cap
| caption2 = Sapience
| image3 = File:Owner Lady Carolyn Warren.svg
| alt3 = Scarlet, blue collar, white cap
| caption3 = Roseate Tern
}}
{{Jockey colours footer}}
'''Steve Cauthen''' (born May 1, 1960) is a retired American [[jockey]].

In 1977 he became the first jockey to win over $6 million in a year working with agent [[Lenny Goodman]],<ref name="GeraldStrine">{{cite news |last1=Strine |first1=Gerald |title=Steve Cauthen |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1977/12/21/steve-cauthen/5ae45ade-1468-43eb-95e7-0c47307dedce/ |access-date=13 October 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 21, 1977}}</ref> and in 1978 he became the youngest jockey to win the [[United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing|U. S. Triple Crown]]. Cauthen is the only jockey ever named ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' [[Sportsman of the Year]].<ref name =nbc>{{Cite web| url = http://sportsworld.nbcsports.com/steve-cauthen-last-jockey-win-triple-crown/ | last = Joe Posnanski |title = Zenith and Nadir |publisher = [[NBC Sports]] | access-date = 10 September 2018 }}</ref>

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]] 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]].<ref name=nmr>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingmuseum.org/hall-of-fame/jockey/steve-cauthen/|title=Steve Cauthen|publisher=National Museum of Racing|access-date=10 September 2018}}.</ref> 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.<ref name=nmr/>

In 1978 he became the youngest jockey to ever win the [[United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing|U. S. Triple Crown]], riding [[Affirmed]], and he was named ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' [[Sportsman of the Year]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.derbylegends.com/steve-cauthen/|title=Steve Cauthen|publisher=Derby Legends|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref>

He had increasing problems making weight and moved to the UK, where jockey weights were higher.<ref name=rp>{{cite web|url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/steve-cauthen-career-profile/1596312/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|title=Steve Cauthen: career profile|work=[[Racing Post]]|access-date=19 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020042622/http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/steve-cauthen-career-profile/1596312/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|archive-date=2016-10-20|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===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 [[Lester Piggott|Piggott]] as the main jockey for his powerful stable."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/16/sports/cauthen-s-success-amazes-britain.html |title=Cauthen's Success Amazes Britain |publisher=[[New York Times]], Section 5, page 6 |date=1985-06-16 |access-date=2021-06-01}}</ref>

In his first race in the UK in April 1979 Cauthen rode Marquee Universal to victory at [[Salisbury Racecourse|Salisbury]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-cauthen-finds-bluegrass-is-greener-1183121.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-cauthen-finds-bluegrass-is-greener-1183121.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Racing: Cauthen finds bluegrass is greener|last=Richard Edmondson|date=6 November 1998|work=The Independent|access-date=8 November 2014}}</ref>

Steve Cauthen was [[British flat racing Champion Jockey|British Champion Jockey]] three times, and won English classic races ten times, including the [[2,000 Guineas Stakes|2,000 Guineas]], the [[Epsom Derby|Derby]] twice, and the [[St. Leger Stakes|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 (horse)|Old Vic]] to victory in the [[Prix du Jockey Club|French Derby]] and the [[Irish Derby Stakes|Irish Derby]]. In 1991 he won the [[Derby Italiano|Italian Derby]] on Hailsham.<ref name=rp/>

==Retirement==
After he finished his riding career, Cauthen returned to Kentucky and bought a stud farm.<ref name=rp/> He participated in [[Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex|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.<ref name=RP50>{{cite news |title=A century of racing - 50 greatest flat jockeys|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Richards+is+in+a+class+of+his+own%3B+A+CENTURY+OF+RACING+-+50+GREATEST...-a060181484 |newspaper= [[The Racing Post]] |date=17 May 1999 |access-date=19 September 2016}}</ref>

Cauthen and his wife, Amy settled back in Walton and have three daughters.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

==Major winners==
{{incomplete list|date=June 2024}}
{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} '''[[United Kingdom|Great Britain]]'''
* [[1,000 Guineas Stakes|1,000 Guineas]]<ref name=nbc/> - ''[[Oh So Sharp]] (1985)''
* [[2,000 Guineas Stakes|2,000 Guineas]] - ''[[Tap on Wood]] (1979)''
* [[Epsom Derby|Derby]]<ref name=RP50/> - ''[[Slip Anchor]] (1985), [[Reference Point (horse)|Reference Point]] (1987)''
* [[King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes]]  - ''Reference Point (1987)''
* [[Epsom Oaks|Oaks]] - ''Oh So Sharp (1985),<ref name=nbc/> Diminuendo (1988), [[Snow Bride]] (1989)''
* [[St. Leger Stakes|St. Leger]] - ''Oh So Sharp (1985),<ref name=nbc/> Reference Point (1987), Michelozzo (1989)''
* [[Goodwood Cup]] - ''Heighlin (1982), [[Gildoran]]  (1984)''
* [[Yorkshire Oaks]] - [[Diminuendo (horse)|Diminuendo]] (1988)
* [[International Stakes]] - ''[[Cormorant Wood]] (1984), [[Triptych (horse)|Triptych]] (1987), [[In the Groove (horse)|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 (horse)|Chimes of Freedom]] (1990)''
* [[Cheveley Park Stakes]] - ''[[Desirable (horse)|Desirable]] (1983)''
* [[Middle Park Stakes]] - ''[[Creag-An-Sgor]] (1983), [[Gallic League]] (1987), [[Balla Cove]] (1989), [[Zieten (horse)|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 (horse)|Triptych]] (1988), [[In the Groove (horse)|In the Groove]] (1991)''
* [[Coronation Stakes]] - ''[[Chimes of Freedom (horse)|Chimes of Freedom]] (1990)''
* [[King Charles III Stakes (Great Britain)|King's Stand Stakes]] - ''[[Indian Ridge]] (1989), Elbio (1991)''
* [[St James's Palace Stakes]] - ''Horage (1983), [[Shavian (horse)|Shavian]] (1990)''
* [[Ascot Gold Cup]] - ''[[Gildoran]] (1984), [[Paean (horse)|Paean]] (1987)''
* [[Eclipse Stakes]] - ''[[Pebbles (horse)|Pebbles]] (1985)''
* [[Kameko Futurity Trophy|Futurity Trophy]] - ''[[Be My Chief]] (1989), [[Peter Davies (horse)|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 (horse)|Wolfhound]] (1992)''
* [[Champion Stakes]] - ''[[Cormorant Wood]] (1983), [[In the Groove (horse)|In the Groove]] (1990)''
* [[British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes|Princess Royal Stakes]] - ''[[Snow Bride]] (1989)''
----
{{flagicon|France}} '''[[France]]'''
* [[Grand Prix de Paris]] - ''[[Risk Me]] (1987), [[Saumarez (horse)|Saumarez]] (1990)''
* [[Prix du Jockey Club]] - ''[[Old Vic (horse)|Old Vic]] (1989)''
* [[Prix de Saint-Georges]] - Elbio (1992)
* [[Prix de Diane]] - ''[[Indian Skimmer (horse)|Indian Skimmer]] (1987)'' 
* [[Prix Royal-Oak]] - ''El Cuite  (1986)''
* [[Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp]] - ''[[Committed (horse)|Committed]]  (1984), [[Keen Hunter]] (1991)''
* [[Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud]] - ''[[Diamond Shoal]]  (1983), [[Acatenango (horse)|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 (horse)|Indian Skimmer]] (1989)''
* [[Prix Saint-Alary]] - ''[[Indian Skimmer (horse)|Indian Skimmer]] (1987), Rosefinch (1992)''
  
----
{{flagicon|Ireland}} '''[[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]'''
* [[Irish 1,000 Guineas]] - ''In the Groove (1990)''
* [[Irish Derby]]<ref name=nmr/> - ''Old Vic (1989)''
* [[Irish Oaks]]  - ''Diminuendo (dead heat 1988), Possessive Dancer (1991)''
* [[Irish St. Leger]] - ''[[Mashaallah (horse)|Mashaallah]] (1992)''
* [[Moyglare Stud Stakes]] - ''[[Chimes of Freedom (horse)|Chimes of Freedom]] (1989)''
* [[Tattersalls Gold Cup]] - ''[[Opera House (horse)|Opera House]] (1992)''
----
{{flagicon|Italy}} '''[[Italy]]'''
* [[Gran Premio di Milano]] - ''Diamond Shoal (1983), [[Mashaallah (horse)|Mashaallah]] (1992)''
* [[Derby Italiano]]<ref name=nmr/> -  ''Hailsham (1991)''
* [[Gran Criterium]] - ''Tanque Verde (1985)''
* [[Gran Premio del Jockey Club]] - ''Gold and Ivory (1984)''
* [[Premio Roma]] - ''Orban (1987)''
----
{{flagicon|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)
----
{{flagicon|United States}} '''[[United States]]'''<ref name=nbc/>
* [[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==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{SI Sportsman of the Year}}{{SN Sportsman of the Year}}
{{Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year navbox}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cauthen, Steve}}
[[Category:American jockeys]]
[[Category:British jockeys]]
[[Category:Eclipse Award winners]]
[[Category:American Champion jockeys]]
[[Category:United States Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame inductees]]
<!--Raised in Boone County-->
[[Category:Sportspeople from Covington, Kentucky]]
[[Category:People from Walton, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Kenton County, Kentucky]]
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American sports commentators]]
[[Category:American horse racing announcers]]
[[Category:British Champion flat jockeys]]