1. At age five, Cruguet was placed in an orphanage after his father abandoned the family and his mother was unable to cope.
13 Facts About Jean Cruguet
1. 2.
Jean Cruguet's fledgling career as a jockey was interrupted by mandatory military service and he served in the French Army during the Algerian War.
3.
Jean Cruguet replaced army-bound jockey Yves Saint-Martin at the stable run by trainer Francois Mathet.
4.
Once Saint-Martin was discharged from the army, Jean Cruguet had to find new rides but met with only limited success.
5.
In Florida, Jean Cruguet was hired to ride for Horatio Luro at Hialeah Park Race Track and began to achieve success in the ensuing years.
6.
In 2004, Jean Cruguet said Hoist The Flag was the best horse he ever rode.
7.
Jean Cruguet rode the Champion San San in all her wins for trainer Angel Penna Sr.
8.
In 1976, Jean Cruguet rode the two-year-old colt Seattle Slew to victory in the Champagne Stakes.
9.
In 1978, Jean Cruguet was the regular jockey aboard Mac Diarmida, whose wins included the two most important North American turf races with European competitors: the Canadian International Championship at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and the Washington, DC International at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland.
10.
Jean Cruguet retired from riding at age 41 in July 1980 to join his wife as a full-time trainer in their own small stable, but he returned to riding two years later.
11.
Jean Cruguet died at their home in Kentucky in September 2010.
12.
Jean Cruguet planned a one-race comeback at the Keeneland Racecourse Spring Meet in April 2011 at age 72.
13.
Jean Cruguet planned to attempt a comeback during the 2011 Arlington Park meet as part of a special "Legends" race in support of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund on August 12, but had to withdraw from that event citing health concerns.