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.

[1] 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.

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.

[7] He participated in Prince Edward of the United Kingdom's 1987 charity television special The Grand Knockout Tournament.