Not Horsing Around

In this exclusive interview, we delve into the illustrious career of the renowned horse trainer and former jockey Tony Cruz, who reflects on his remarkable journey, unpacks the gruelling regime behind the lives of jockeys and trainers—and reveals why retirement isn’t on the cards

By Tara Sobti.

Tony Cruz began his racing career in 1973, and was among the first apprentices of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School when it opened in 1972. He went on to win a whopping 946 races in Hong Kong, which remains a record, and is a six-time champion jockey in the city. Upon retiring from riding in 1996, he became a trainer, which has proven to be an equally prosperous role. Cruz famously trained the great Hong Kong champion Silent Witness to 17 consecutive wins. Here, he talks about the thrill of the ride, common misconceptions about the racing world and his hope for the future of the sport. My father [the renowned jockey Johnny Cruz] got me into riding at a young age. When he saw that I…

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Tatler Hong Kong (Digital) - 1 Issue, November 2023

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