WALTON, Ky. — Ronald “Tex” Cauthen, a Hall of Fame racetrack farrier and father to three sons prominent in the thoroughbred business, has died. He was 77.

Amy Nave of WinStar Farm confirmed on Thursday that Cauthen died in his sleep Monday at his farm in Walton.
Cauthen was a specialist in shoeing horses and continued consulting after he retired, working for owners of top horses.
His son Steve was the last jockey to win the Triple Crown, aboard Affirmed in 1978. Another son, Doug, is president and CEO of WinStar Farm in Versailles. His youngest son, Kerry, is managing partner of Four Star Sales in Lexington.