The ship was torpedoed and sunk by an Italian submarine, but de Kwiatkowski survived and eventually reached England where he joined the Royal Air Force, serving until 1947.
[2] In 1967, de Kwiatkowski purchased a home in the exclusive community of Lyford Cay on New Providence Island in The Bahamas that was developed by friend and fellow thoroughbred owner/breeder, E. P. Taylor.
He would also acquire a luxury Beekman Place apartment in Manhattan and an 80-acre (320,000 m2) estate in the exclusive gated community of Conyers Farm in Greenwich, Connecticut that included four guest houses and a 22-stall stable.
De Kwiatkowski's involvement in horse racing began in 1977 when he acquired two 2yo fillies, Noiritza and Sunwing, through his friend Rhydian Morgan-Jones following a meeting in Annabel's nightclub.
Following de Kwiatkowski's death at his home in Lyford Cay in 2003, John Asher, a spokesman for Churchill Downs said: "He did a lot of things in thoroughbred racing, but saving Calumet Farm was something the industry will be eternally indebted to him for.