The revolutionaries, visionaries, pioneers: more mould-breakers
Nicholas Godfrey on the racing greats who challenged the norm
American revolutionaries
Tod Sloan and Steve Cauthen
Tod Sloan and Steve Cauthen, a pair of American jockeys separated by three-quarters of a century, turned race-riding on its head in Britain.
Tod Sloan may have exited the turf in disgrace amid suspicions of betting but he had already left an indelible mark on jockeyship with his forward seat-style of riding – the 'monkey crouch', as it was described. This 'American seat' of short stirrups and crouching over the horse's neck and withers was soon adopted by his rivals, who abandoned the bolt-upright Victorian style they had previously favoured.
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- We believed Dancing Brave could fly - and then he took off to prove it
- 'Don't wind up bookmakers - you might feel clever but your accounts won't last'
- 'There wouldn't be a day I don't think about those boys and their families'
- 'You want a bit of noise, a bit of life - and you have to be fair to punters'
- 'I take flak and it frustrates me - but I'm not going to wreck another horse'