He was voted the American Champion Male Turf Horse for 1989 following his win in that year's Breeders' Cup Mile.
He was bred in the name of Allez France Stables, a nom de course for owner Daniel Wildenstein.
Steinlen was a stakes winner in France prior to being sent to compete in the United States.
Under trainer D. Wayne Lukas Steinlen won the important Arlington Million and Bernard Baruch Handicap leading up to his victory in the November 4, 1989 Breeders' Cup Mile.
Steinlen was humanely euthanised at age 18 in June 2001 after fracturing a rear leg in a paddock accident at Harris Farms.