Captain Steve, the 2001 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) winner trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, died April 21 in Japan as a result of acute heart failure. The death of the 16-year-old son of Fly So Free was reported by Kate Hunter, communications director at Japan's Paca Paca Farm.
A U.S. grade I winner every year he raced, Captain Steve scored his biggest win overseas in the $6 million Dubai World Cup.
Captain Steve, who was produced from the Vice Regent mare Sparkling Delite, won nine of 25 starts and earned $6,828,356 for owner Mike Pegram. He was purchased for $70,000 at the 1998 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky yearling sale.
He won the Hollywood Futurity (gr. I) at 2, the Swaps Stakes (gr. I) over subsequent Horse of the Year Tiznow at 3, and the Donn Handicap (gr. I) as a 4-year-old before his World Cup win. He won eight stakes and placed in 10 others, including the 2000 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).
Upon retirement following his 4-year-old campaign, Captain Steve was sold to the Japan Racing Association for a reported $5 million and stood his entire breeding career in Japan, most recently at Schichinohe Stallion Station.