Background
Son of J. M. da Cruz, himself a well-known jockey, Tony Cruz is of Portuguese descent.
Son of J. M. da Cruz, himself a well-known jockey, Tony Cruz is of Portuguese descent.
He became an apprentice jockey at the age of 14. 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. When he retired from riding he embarked on a career as a trainer that has led to more success.
He has also ridden to victory in the Hong Kong Champions & Chater Cup on two occasions.
Referred to as a racing legend by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Cruz began his professional riding in 1973 and earned his first win on 11 December 1974 at Happy Valley Racecourse. Cruz has been Hong Kong"s champion jockey six times and has won more races there than any other jockey. He won the Hong Kong Derby four times aboard Company-Tack (1983), Tea Foreign Two II (1987), Clear City (1988), Makarpura Star (1995). In 2010/11 in which he won 72 races, including two HKG1s and the G1 CXHK Mile with Beauty Flash, for a career total of 801. Notably he trained two-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year 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.
