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Jenny Craig

Posted: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 11:36 AM

JENNY CRAIG

Owner, Breeder

Passionate about her family and her horses, Jenny Craig has long been much-admired for being able to juggle both family and business responsibilities along with blazing a trail for countless women as the head of a hugely successful and visible brand.

Along with her beloved late husband, Sid Craig, it was their shared belief in undefeated stallion Candy Ride (Arg) that resulted in homebreds Chocolate Candy and Sidney’s Candy, respectively, competing in the 2009 and ’10 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) in their colors. Though neither runner was able to find the winner’s circle, the significance of having two colts—whose matings they planned together—enter the starting gate at Churchill Downs has served to burnish the legacy of the Craigs’ special partnership to an even brighter sheen.

Though they campaigned two-time Eclipse Award champion older female and Racing Hall of Fame member Paseana (Arg) and having won the 1992 Ever Ready Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) with Dr Devious (Ire), it was Candy Ride’s victory in the 2003 Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) at Del Mar in front of family and friends in their hometown that provided one of the Craigs’ greatest thrills in racing. 

With a new generation of Candy Ride two-year-olds currently being put through their training paces, Craig is brimming with enthusiasm at what the coming months may hold.  She remains a great believer in racing as a special sport.

Date of birth: August 7, 1932
Birthplace: Berwick, Louisiana
Residence: Del Mar, California
Title: Co-founder
Company: Jenny Craig Inc.
Family: Widowed
Industry involvement: Owner, breeder
Biggest professional achievement: “Grew founding business to over 650 centers in five countries.”
Favorite horse: Candy Ride (Arg)
Favorite television show: “The Glenn Beck Program”
What women in racing do you look up to? Madeleine Paulson Pickens, [the late] Betty Mabee
What other women outside of racing do you look up to? “I look up to all women who are trying to juggle a career, family life, and children’s education while trying not to neglect their own personal health needs.”
Outlook on the industry: “I believe the future in racing depends on getting young people more involved. There are so many activities trying to capture their attention. We must creatively improve their attendance and involvement in the industry. I am very optimistic that can be accomplished.”
Personal motto: “Don’t look back in anger, don’t look forward in fear, look around in awareness.”
Outside interests: Golf, poker, travel

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