Former Rider and Valet Leon Dies at 90
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Luis Leon, a popular former rider and jockeys' room valet in California, died the evening of Dec. 29, according to his son, David. He was 90.
Jockey for famed owner/breeder Rex Ellsworth and Hall of Fame trainer Mesh Tenney in the 1950s and 60s, Leon was nicknamed "The Cheetah" and was seldom without a smile. As a valet, his services were in keen demand, and he worked for a number of top riders over the years, including Eddie Delahoussaye, Patrick Valenzuela, Martin Pedroza, Rafael Meza, David Flores, and many others.
"I really liked working for (Delahoussaye), because he was a real polite man, and he took good care of me," Leon told North American Trainer Magazine in 2017.
Following his retirement from riding in the mid-1960s, Leon and his wife lived on his ranch southeast of San Diego, where he had fruit trees and cattle. He tended to tomatoes, corn, and pumpkins as a hobby after Delahoussaye retired in 2003.
"It gives me something to do besides horses," he also told North American Trainer Magazine.
A native of Fresno, Leon had been in failing health the past several years. He suffered a heart attack recently and succumbed to the effects of the COVID-19 virus while hospitalized, according to Santa Anita publicity. Services are pending.