Horse racing is a Ritzy pursuit and so has acquired a high-end clientele. Many celebrities, almost as if by magic, develop an intense interest in horse racing once they achieve their bag. It’s common enough with actors, but there are perhaps even surprise fans that you never would have guessed. NBA players are unusually fond of competitive racing, with pros like Michael Jordan even going so far as to invest in champion-grade horses.
As the racing season begins to kick off, you can be sure that the camera will pan to stars in the crowd. Who should you look out for as you watch racing on TV this year? Let’s get into it.
Michael Jordan
Arguably the greatest basketball player to ever live, Jordan’s love of horse racing runs deep. He’s been a frequent participant in many championship races over the years. One of them, of course, is the Kentucky Derby.
Jordan once famously decided on the day of the race that he wanted to attend the event. For the average person, this would be impossible. Not only does the race itself sell out WELL in advance, but even getting a last-minute flight on race day can be next to impossible.
Not an issue for Jordan. The Bulls star chartered his own plane and even received a police escort to the track.
MJ wanted a private suite with an excellent view of the track. When his assistant made this request, they were informed by an apologetic ticket taker that the event was completely sold out. Did that stop Jordan? Not according to Marc J Spears who was with him at the time.
Spears claims it went something like this:
“Like a god, Michael Jordan walked up, The guy at the VIP realized, ‘Oh my goodness, this is Michael Jordan. This wasn’t a joke.’ Michael casually asked, ‘Is there anything you can do? Next thing you know, some suite…everybody got pushed out of the suite. They brought in new food, new drinks, and he got the suite he wanted. I don’t think he even paid for it!”
It’s good to be the greatest, isn’t it?
Hugh Jackman
The Wolverine himself. Hugh Jackman is an Australian native, where horseracing has a much broader viewership audience than it does in the United States. It’s not at all surprising that the “Greatest Showman,” has taken his passion for racing to the next level now that he has the financial means to do so.
Jackman is a frequent at many well-known racing events. Perhaps notable, he is often seen at the Melbourne Cup in his homeland of Australia.
Tom Brady
Brady has been a major fan of professional horse racing for many years. Even back in his days as a player, his love for horse racing was never in doubt. In 2015, the famed quarterback chartered a jet to take himself, and his teammates to the Kentucky Derby. That’s an expensive team bonding exercise.
Beats the heck out of the traditional football party bus/tailgating combo though, doesn’t it?
Jack Nickolson
Nickolson admittedly doesn’t get out very much anymore. Though the legendary actor did recently make an appearance at the SNL anniversary event, introducing his former co-star Adam Sandler, the Shining star has favored a reclusive existence in his retirement.
But while Nickolson no longer graces the silver screens, he does enjoy his sports. Though best known for frequenting Lakers games, where he maintains courtside seats and has even been known to argue with the refs, Nickolson is frequently in the audience at high-tier racing events.
His favorite? That would be Santa Anita, near his stomping grounds in Los Angeles.
Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic, star of the Denver Nuggets is easily one of the best players in the NBA. Off the court, however, he has a passion for horses that runs at least as deep as his love for hooping. That devotion has led to ownership. Jokic maintains a stable of champion-grade horses in his homeland of Serbia.
He approaches his passion with the same level of fan appreciation that so many people around the world feel toward him. In 2024, that love of racing led him to seek out a distinguished jockey by the name of Tim Tetrick.
“I was kind of shocked, to be honest,” Tetrick said. “I was like, ‘What does the best basketball player in the world want to talk to me for, you know?’ But then I learned about his passion for what I do. We connected and became great friends, to this day. It’s kinda cool.”
Racing Season Is Upon Us
Unfortunately, most of us can’t walk up to the ticket booth on race day and casually claim a private suite. We can tune in from the comfort of our homes. If you are going to be staking any races this year, you should do it with good information, on reliable platforms.
The top horse racing betting sites will provide you with dependable transactions that you can be confident in.
Celebrity guests may be able to pull seats out of thin air, breed champions, and casually call up their favorite jockeys, but there are simpler ways for the rest of us to enjoy this classic sport.
Photo: AP
