by Jeff Lowe

Sidney Craig, who raced Racing Hall of Fame member Paseana (Arg), Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) winner Dr Devious (Ire), and Grade 1 winner Candy Ride (Arg) with his wife, Jenny, died on Monday after a long illness. He was 76.

Teddy Aroney, a longtime friend who helped oversee the couple’s racing and breeding operation, said Craig died at his home in Del Mar with his wife by his side. The Craigs founded the Jenny Craig weight loss center, and Sidney Craig until recently served as company chairman and chief executive officer. 

Aroney said Craig had been looking forward with great anticipation to Candy Ride’s first crop of runners this year. Sid and Jenny Craig maintained an ownership interest in the undefeated Grade 1 winner and supported him with a large group of broodmares.

“He was really looking forward to seeing them run,” Aroney said. “It might have prolonged his life.”

Craig’s passion for racing was demonstrated in 1992, when his wife purchased Dr Devious for $2.5-million as a present for his 60th birthday. They hoped Dr Devious would win the Kentucky Derby (G1), but after he finished seventh in the classic, trainer Ron McAnally suggested that the colt be returned to England.

The Craigs agreed, and Dr Devious rewarded them with an upset victory in the Epsom Derby.

“Nothing will beat this dream,” Sid Craig said at the time.

The same year, Paseana capped a sensational five-year-old season with a four-length victory in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). She scored five other Grade 1 victories that year and was an easy choice for champion older female. The Argentine-bred mare received the Eclipse Award again in 1993 after finishing second by a nose to Hollywood Wildcat in the Distaff at Santa Anita Park, which followed repeat wins in the Apple Blossom (G1) and Milady (G1) Handicaps. 

Craig and McAnally enjoyed Grade 1 success with another Argentine import in 1996, when Different (Arg) won the Three Chimneys Spinster Stakes (G1) and Beverley Hills Handicap (G1).

Craig also owned three-time Grade 1 winner Exchange.

His last major success was a meteoric journey with Candy Ride in 2003. The Craigs purchased Candy Ride privately after he won each of his three starts in his native Argentina. Following an easy win in his American debut, Candy Ride powered to victories in the American Handicap (G2) on turf and Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) on dirt before sustaining an injury that ended his career with a perfect record of six wins in as many starts.

Sid Craig developed an interest in racing through his mother while growing up in Alhambra, California. In his early 20s, he became friends with Hal King, who later served as his trainer and racing manager.

Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer