Whether it’s at Royal Ascot or the Cheltenham Festival, famous faces have always been easy to spot at the races. Not many people know, though, that some of them actually own horses too.
It can be difficult to ascertain the exact reason as to why certain celebrities purchase horses, but it must be down to their love of the sport and the animals which play such an integral role in the excitement horse racing provides.
In the same way, football club owners don’t necessarily make vast sums of cash from owning a League One football club, neither do racehorse owners on the whole.
For the most part, owning a horse has more outgoings than it has incomings unless, of course, you’re part of a winning combination which reigns supreme in one of the major races on the calendar.
It doesn’t always go to plan, though, as Happy Mondays star Bez recently found out.
Bez isn’t alone as there are plenty of celebrities who own race horses. Below is a look at some of the other famous owners.
Sir Alex Ferguson
The legendary former Manchester United manager has long been involved in horse racing. Sir Alex Ferguson, known for his tactical brilliance on the football pitch, has shown a keen eye for equine talent as well.
One of his most successful horses is Protektorat, trained by Dan Skelton. Protektorat made headlines with an impressive victory in the Lancashire Chase in November 2022, establishing himself as a contender for the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Ferguson’s racing interests also include Clan Des Obeaux, co-owned with Paul Barber and Ged Mason, who won the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park.
He has been known to attend major racing events and has developed friendships with several prominent trainers and owners in the industry.
Ferguson’s success in horse racing mirrors his achievements in football, demonstrating his ability to excel in multiple fields.
Dame Judi Dench
The Oscar-winning actress has been a racehorse owner for many years. Dame Judi Dench’s most notable success came with Smokey Oakey, who won the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster in 2008.
She also co-owned As De Mee with Andy Stewart, a horse trained by Paul Nicholls.
As De Mee won the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase at Aintree in 2016 and was being prepared for a tilt at the Grand National before injury forced his retirement.
It’s worth noting that her involvement in horse racing stems from a lifelong passion. In addition to Smokey Oakey and As De Mee, Dench has owned shares in several other horses.
Her enthusiasm for the sport is evident, and she has been quoted saying that the thrill of watching her horses compete is comparable to the excitement of performing on stage
Michael Owen
Former England and Liverpool striker Michael Owen has taken his love for horse racing to new heights.
Owen established Manor House Stables in Cheshire, which has produced several high-quality horses. One of his most successful horses was Brown Panther, trained by Tom Dascombe.
Brown Panther won the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2011 and later claimed victory in the Irish St. Leger in 2014.
Owen’s passion for racing runs deep, and he has even ridden in a charity race at Ascot, finishing second on Calder Prince in 2017.
His commitment to horse racing extends beyond just owning horses. His Manor House Stables has become a respected operation in the racing world.
Owen has expressed his passion for the sport, stating that it provides a thrill similar to scoring goals in his football career.
His involvement has helped bring attention to horse racing among a younger audience.
Harry Redknapp
Former football manager Harry Redknapp has found success both on and off the pitch. In the world of horse racing, Redknapp experienced a career highlight when his horse Shakem Up’Arry, trained by Ben Pauling, won at the Cheltenham Festival in 2024.
The horse also claimed victory in the Trustatrader Plate Handicap Chase and the New Year’s Day Handicap Chase.
Carol Vorderman and Richard Hammond
An unlikely duo, former Countdown mathematician Carol Vorderman and ex-Top Gear host Richard Hammond, have joined forces in racehorse ownership.
They are part of the Surf On The Turf ownership syndicate, which owns Subway Surf, trained by Kim Bailey.
Subway Surf has shown promise, finishing third in a bumper at Ascot and winning at Chepstow.
Jeremy Kyle
Television presenter Jeremy Kyle has been involved in horse racing for several years. He used to co-own Glen Rocco with Nick Gifford as the trainer.
Glen Rocco has competed in the Unibet Handicap Chase and has aspirations for the Grand National.
Kyle has also been involved with other successful horses, including Black Corton, a Grade One winner trained by Paul Nicholls.
Liz Hurley
British actress and model Liz Hurley has been involved in horse racing since 2009. She is associated with the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing group, which manages several racehorses.
One of Hurley’s notable horses was Memory, who competed in the Albany Stakes. Hurley is often seen at major racing events like Royal Ascot and the Epsom Derby.
Jayson Werth
Former Major League Baseball player Jayson Werth has taken his competitive spirit from the baseball diamond to the racetrack.
Werth has shares in multiple thoroughbreds and competes under the name Two Eight Racing, a nod to his jersey number.
One of his most promising horses is Dornoch, who has been aimed at prestigious races like the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.
Steven Spielberg
The legendary film director Steven Spielberg, who is also a producer for the movie adaptation of Richard Osman’s hit cozy crime novel Thursday Murder Club, caught the horse racing bug while directing the movie Seabiscuit in 2003.
Spielberg, along with two filmmaking friends, purchased a 10% stake in Atswhatimtalknabout.
The horse became an instant Kentucky Derby favourite and finished fourth in its first entry into the competition.
MC Hammer
In a surprising twist, 1990s rap superstar MC Hammer was once deeply involved in horse racing.
At the height of his fame, Hammer owned Oaktown Stables, which trained up to twenty horses at a time.
His most successful horse was Lite Light, who won several Grade 1 races in the United States, including the Kentucky Oaks and the Santa Anita Oaks.
Drew Brees
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has also ventured into the world of horse racing. Brees has been involved in horse ownership as a partner in the Donkey Island Racing group.
In an interesting twist, Brees once claimed a horse named Siempre Mio in a 2012 claiming race, taking it away from former Los Angeles Lakers stars Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, who were part-owners of the horse.
Toby Keith
Country music superstar Toby Keith has been deeply involved in horse racing for over two decades.
Keith’s interest in the sport began when he and his father bought a horse named Jack Branch together shortly after the release of Keith’s debut album.
Since then, Keith has expanded his involvement significantly, establishing Dream Walkin’ Farms.
Horses from Keith’s farm have had over 5,000 career starts and earned more than $14.2 million in career earnings.
Why Do Celebrities Own Racehorses?
While owning a racehorse can be a costly endeavour, for these celebrities, it’s clearly a labour of love that combines their passion for sports with the thrill of competition.
As the world of horse racing continues to evolve, it’s likely we’ll see more celebrities entering the fray, each hoping to experience the unique joy of watching their horse cross the finish line first in a major race.
Whether it’s the prestige of the Kentucky Derby, the history of the Cheltenham Festival, or the glamour of Royal Ascot, these celebrity owners are now an integral part of the sport of kings.
