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Local guy was youngest Triple Crown winner

1,283 views · Published 9 May 2018 · 3:26 · Indexed 21 September 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2018 · News & Politics

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WALTON, Ky. (WKRC) - It's been 40 years since the horse racing world was turned upside down by a teenage jockey from Northern Kentucky.

In 1978, Walton's Steve Cauthen won racing's Triple Crown.

It's something no other horse and rider would do again for 37 yeras.

At 17, Steve Cauthen was the first jockey to rack up $6 million in winnings in one season. Just days before turning 18, he won the 1978 Kentucky Derby on Affirmed en route to winning the Triple Crown.

"It was just a tremendous ride and not many guys as young as I am get the chance to get on a horse as good as Affirmed but it was one of those things that worked out for me," Cauthen said.

Tired of battling his weight, Cauthen moved to England where he could ride a little heavier. He quickly became the most successful rider there, named British Champion jockey three times. He retired in 1992. Even better known overseas than at home.

"The sad thing is the day I retired I knew that I was never going to be as good at anything in my life as I was at that so it is hard to leave it in that respect," Cauthen said.

He still watches races almost every day and can't help but critique the riders a little.

Cauthen now breeds, raises, races and sells horses from the farm near Walton he bought when he was 17. He's rubbed shoulders with royalty, business moguls and became a celebrity himself. He wears it well.

"My parents and my brothers they kept me pretty grounded," he said. "They let me know I was just a Walton boy that had gotten lucky and been able to succeed at some things in life."

In addition to running his farm in Walton, Cauthen is also the racing manager for Dixiana Farm in Lexington.

Steve and his wife Amy have raised three daughters in Boone County.

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