Thoroughbred horse trainer Steve Asmussen makes history

The wins, the great horses, the graded stakes wins. Make no doubt, thoroughbred trainer Steve Asmussen was destined for greatness in horse racing. 

Growing up learning from his father, Keith, who was a jockey and trainer and his mother, Marilyn, also a trainer, Asmussen's life in horse racing was a foregone conclusion, it would eventually lead him to be one of the greatest trainers of all-time.

On Aug. 7, Asmussen made history when he won his 9,446th race to break the the all-time win record for a trainer, set by the late Dale Baird during his 46-year career that ended when he was killed in a car crash in 2007 at age 72. Asmussen's winning horse that unforgettable day was Stellar Tap in the fifth race at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and certainly one of the high points of a remarkable 35-year-training career. 

"I was with my wife and three children when I broke the record and that meant the world to me. Family is important to me and has made me who I am today," Asmussen said. "I've been fortunate in my career. Lots of great horses, a great support system, a great team around me and great owners. There is a great deal to be grateful for. I love what I do, I love the sport and I take great pride in what we do as a team."  

Asmussen, 55, has more than 100 horses spread out at different tracks throughout the year, including New York and Kentucky.

Asmussen currently lives in Arlington, Texas, while his family operates El Primero Training Center and the Asmussen Horse Center, a breeding and sales operation, both in Laredo, Texas. 

He grew up in South Dakota but moved to Laredo when he was young and the family operation was opened in the late 1970s. 

"I'm very proud of where I came from and don't ever want to forget it. It makes you who you are," Asmussen said. "I've learned a great deal from my family. My mom, my dad, my brother they've all made a great impact on my life. I learned about hard work from them. My dad and mom are great people, they have so much passion for the sport and gave me so much knowledge."

New Mexico ties 

Asmussen's parents had horses at Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino in New Mexico and Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino near El Paso and he was a steadying presence at both tracks. Asmussen took out his trainer's license in 1986 and won his first race that year at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico with Victory's Halo. He previously worked as a jockey until he outgrew the profession.

As a jockey, he won his first race at Sunland Park. A year after winning as a trainer at Ruidoso Downs, Asmussen  earned his first stakes race victory with Scout Command in the Bessemer Stakes at the Birmingham Race Course in Birmingham, Ala.. Asmussen's first Grade 1 stakes win came in 1999 with Dreams Gallore in the Mother Goose at Belmont Park in New York. 

"Sunland Park and Ruidoso were important for me and I met some great people, who I still am great friends with," Asmussen said. "I have memories of those tracks I'll always remember."

His brother, Cash, was a successful jockey and also rode horses at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino early in his career.  

Two of his closest friends are former jockey agent Kathy Murphy and former jockey and now trainer Casey Lambert. Murphy was a longtime jockey agent at Sunland and Ruidoso and Lambert, rode at Sunland Park and has been a solid trainer since he retired from riding. 

"We're the same age and he's been a great friend," Lambert said. "We keep in contact. I've ridden some of his horses. He's sent horses to New Mexico and I've watched them. I've learned so much from him. I turn to him for his opinion, who better to learn from than him. He's got such a great knowledge of the game. His memory is amazing and he loves what he does. He has so much passion for what he does." 

Added Murphy: "Steve loves what he does and is very detailed oriented. He knows exactly where his horses are at and what they are doing. He deserves everything he's gotten. He is a great friend. He works hard at what he does. He was destined to be in this sport. To see him accomplish what he has has been amazing. He's been great to our family and he's been a loyal friend to us."

El Paso horse owners Judy and Kirk Robison have worked with Asmussen for many years and have had success, including current three-year-old in action, Jackie's Warrior. Jackie's Warrior has won six of nine starts, finished second one and third another time. Last year, he ran fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. 

"Steve is a very hard worker," Robison said. "He gives his full attention and he is able to place horses where they can win. He is consumed and driven to win. He deserves the enormous success that he has achieved."

Achievements are many 

Asmussen has trained three Horses of the Year — Curlin, filly Rachel Alexandra, and Gun Runner. He’s won the Preakness Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic twice and the Belmont Stakes. He is 0 for 23 in the Kentucky Derby.

Asmussen has won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer on two occasions (2008, 2009); two of the three Triple Crown classics, the Preakness Stakes (Curlin, 2007, and Rachel Alexandra, 2009) and the Belmont Stakes (Creator, 2016); and six Breeders' Cup races, including two wins in the Breeders' Cup Classic (Curlin, 2007, and Gun Runner, 2017).

"There have been so many great victories and they all mean something special," Amsussen said. "Rachel Alexandra was an amazing horse, Gun Runner was something special. It's a wonderful feeling when you see a horse you work to develop and see grow have success."

He has steadily grown his stable over the first decade of his career, logging his first 100-win season in 1995. In 2009, Asmussen posted the single-season win record of 650. With a stable that spans multiple racetracks, the Texas native has won races at all levels, from Saratoga to Lone Star Park to Ellis Park and Sunland Park. He has twice won the Sunland Derby with Daddy Nose Best in 2012 and Hence in 2017. The Sunland Derby is a Kentucky Derby prep race. 

"Steve is competitive and just enjoys being at the track and he'll keep training for a long time, I believe," Lambert said. "He's someone who I respect and when I saw him break the record, it was an amazing feeling."

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Felix F. Chavez may be reached at 915-546-6167; fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter.