Anthony S. Cruz
Encyclopedia
Anthony S. "Tony" Cruz is a prominent horse trainer
and former Champion Thoroughbred horse racing
jockey
.
descent. He became an apprentice jockey at the age of 14.
, Cruz began his professional riding in 1973 and earned his first win on December 11, 1974 at Happy Valley Racecourse
. After becoming one of Hong Kong's top jockeys, in the late 1980s he rode in England
and France
where he enjoyed considerable success, capturing a number of prestigious Group One
races.
Cruz has been Hong Kong's champion jockey six times and has won more races there than any other jockey. When he retired from riding he embarked on a career as a trainer that has led to more success.
He won the Hong Kong Derby four times aboard Co-Tack (1983), Tea For Two II (1987), Clear City (1988), Makarpura Star (1995). He has also ridden to victory in the Hong Kong Champions & Chater Cup
on two occasions.
Silent Witness
(2004, 2005) and his third straight Hong Kong Horse of the Year, 2006 winner, Bullish Luck
.
As a trainer he won it in 2004 with Lucky Owners
, and in 2008 with Helene Mascot.
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
and former Champion Thoroughbred horse racing
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport: Flat racing and National Hunt racing...
jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
.
Early life
Son of J. M. da Cruz, himself a well-known jockey, Tony Cruz is of PortuguesePortuguese people
The Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
descent. He became an apprentice jockey at the age of 14.
Riding career
Referred to as a racing legend by the Hong Kong Jockey ClubHong Kong Jockey Club
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is one of the oldest institutions in Hong Kong, founded in 1884 to promote horse racing. It was granted Royal Charter and renamed to "The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club" in 1959...
, Cruz began his professional riding in 1973 and earned his first win on December 11, 1974 at Happy Valley Racecourse
Happy Valley Racecourse
Happy Valley Racecourse is one of the two racecourses for horse racing in Hong Kong. It is located in Happy Valley on Hong Kong Island, surrounded by Wong Nai Chung Road and Morrison Hill Road.-History:...
. After becoming one of Hong Kong's top jockeys, in the late 1980s he rode in England
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
where he enjoyed considerable success, capturing a number of prestigious Group One
Group One
Group One or Group 1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. Group One races may be run under handicap conditions in Australia but in Europe weight-for-age conditions always apply. Races may be also restricted to age groups or a...
races.
Cruz has been Hong Kong's champion jockey six times and has won more races there than any other jockey. When he retired from riding he embarked on a career as a trainer that has led to more success.
He won the Hong Kong Derby four times aboard Co-Tack (1983), Tea For Two II (1987), Clear City (1988), Makarpura Star (1995). He has also ridden to victory in the Hong Kong Champions & Chater Cup
Hong Kong Champions & Chater Cup
Hong Kong Champions & Chater Cup is a Hong Kong Thoroughbred horse race held annually in late May or early June at Sha Tin Racecourse. A Group One race that offers a purse of HK$8,000,000, it is run on turf over a distance of 2400 meters and is open to horses three years of age and older...
on two occasions.
Trainer
Notably he trained two-time Hong Kong Horse of the YearHong Kong Horse of the Year
Horse of the Year is the most prestigious honor in Thoroughbred horse racing given by racing organizations in a variety of countries around the world....
Silent Witness
Silent Witness (horse)
Silent Witness was an outstanding Thoroughbred racehorse who won his first 17 starts in sprint races in Hong Kong. He was ranked the world's top sprinter for three seasons....
(2004, 2005) and his third straight Hong Kong Horse of the Year, 2006 winner, Bullish Luck
Bullish Luck
Bullish Luck is a Hong Kong based Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred in Kentucky, he is the son of the 1990 Breeders' Cup Mile winner Royal Academy and out of the Alysheba mare Wild Vintage...
.
As a trainer he won it in 2004 with Lucky Owners
Lucky Owners
Lucky Owners is a New Zealand thoroughbred racehorse who raced in Hong Kong. Sired by Danehill to dam Miss Priority, he won eight races in his career, including the Group One Hong Kong Mile and Hong Kong Derby. He was retired to stud in 2004.-Trivia:*In Lucky Owners' debut race on January 11,...
, and in 2008 with Helene Mascot.