Just weeks after selling a two-year-old in training for a sales-topping US$3.65 million in 2019, beloved bloodstock agent and consignor James ‘JJ’ Crupi passed away at the age of 79. Right to the end, he was doing what he loved – selling horses – and even in declining health and only days prior to his death, hosted friends and colleagues at a gathering.
Owner Mike Repole had been introduced to Crupi some 10 years earlier. Crupi had encouraged the racing newcomer towards a yearling colt by the stallion Indian Charlie, for which he paid $220,000. The purchase became Uncle Mo, a champion racehorse who has gone on to a most successful career as a sire in Kentucky.
“I was introduced to JJ, got to go to his farm and listen to his legendary stories,” Repole said. “I knew at the time I was in the presence of a racing icon.”
Interested in horses from a young age, Crupi was a four-time leading trainer at Monmouth Park on America’s Atlantic seaboard, but turned to bloodstock later in life, becoming an advisor and successful Thoroughbred reseller.
Repole had introduced Crupi to his friend Vinnie Viola, whom he had advised on the purchase of Liam’s Map, winner of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (1600m). On behalf of the two owners, Crupi selected a yearling by leading American sire Curlin in 2016, a colt they named Vino Rosso.
A Grade 2 winner as a three-year-old, Vino Rosso blossomed at four, winning his first race at Grade I level mere days after Crupi’s death.
“There’s no doubt Jimmy was on that horse’s back, helping to get him home,” Repole said.
Vino Rosso would go on to win that year’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic (2000m) and now serves mares at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky.
To honour the memory of their advisor and friend, Repole and Viola pooled their resources at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
“Vinnie and (wife) Teresa and (Repole’s wife) Maria and I always wanted to name a horse in Jimmy’s honour, but we wanted it to be a good horse,” Repole explained. “Since Vino Rosso had so much success, to name a Curlin I thought would be pretty cool and be a great connection. Just like Curlin, Jimmy was having more and more success as he got older, so I thought Crupi was a good name for him.”
Crupi is a son of the mare Don’tforgetaboume, which also resonated with Repole.
“Jimmy was the ultimate ‘don’t-forget-about-me’ kind of guy, one of those people you’ll remember for the rest of your life,” he said.
Win, lose or draw on Saturday, Repole said Crupi will do his namesake proud.
“He’s doing great and he ran a fantastic race [when third to National Treasure and Senor Buscador] in the Grade 1 Pegasus,” Repole said. “But to be racing in Dubai and to hear his name being called out in Dubai will be just fantastic. I am sure Jimmy would be thrilled.”