There’s something magical about the world of horseracing that has always drawn a certain kind of person, especially those who love speed, style, and a bit of drama.
Now and then, celebrities get hooked too — buying horses, placing bets, soaking up the thrill of the track, and sharing their experiences on social media.
Bobbie and Sophie Flay at the races (Pic – Sophie Flay on Instagram)
The presence of celebrities in racing can attract new fans and opens doors to broader audiences, especially younger ones.
Just as importantly, their investment and passion can inspire others to follow suit, injecting much-needed new blood.
Let’s take a look at some of the famous names across the globe who have found a special place in their hearts for horse racing, and why greater celebrity involvement should be encouraged in South Africa.
The British Royal Family and Arabian sheikhs have long had deep-rooted ties to horse racing, but it’s the movie stars, television personalities, and sporting greats who wield real influence in capturing the public’s imagination.
Perhaps the most prominent celebrity racehorse owner of recent times is US TV chef Bobbie Flay, who grew up attending Saratoga and Belmont race meetings and started buying racehorses in the early 2000s.
His first horse was Sophie’s Salad, named after his daughter. She was a good looker and while she never won a race, earned black-type status finishing third in a stakes contest.
Flay’s first big winner was More Than Real, who took the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, followed by 2016 Belmont Stakes champion, Creator, in which he was a minority partner.
A keen pedigree student, he bred Pizza Bianca, another Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner in 2021.Flay also last year bought a share in the Aga Khan’s Dubawi stallion, Zarak.
Michael Owen at Manor House Stables (Pic – www.manorhousestables.com)
An industry leader, Flay serves on the board of the New York Racing Association and earned an award for Thoroughbred retirement advocacy. He hosts fundraising events and supports non-profit organisations including the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.
Steven Spielberg, the Oscar-winning movie director of blockbusters such as E.T, Indiana Jones and Schindler’s List, co-owned Atswhatimtalkingabout, who ran fourth in the 2003 Kentucky Derby. He is also a shareholder in Biscuit Stables, Delaware.
Another film-maker, South African-born Gary Barber, former chairman and CEO of the MGM Group and co-founder of Spyglass Media, was responsible for dozens of top box office titles including Seabiscuit, Ace Ventura and Robocop.
He owned 2014 Canadian Horse Of The Year Lexie Lou and 2019 Preakness Stakes winner, War Of Will. He has also raced many runners in South Africa and Australia with Larry Nestadt, including Grade 1 stars Carnadore, Irish Flame and Russian Sage.
Their partnership still races locally and in Australia. Barber and Team Valor had a runner at Royal Ascot earlier this week.
Odwa Ndungane with Isivunguvungu. Peter Muscutt is on the left, Graham Motion, right (Pic – Hollywoodbets)
Actress Elizabeth Banks, who starred in Seabiscuit, is a former Breeders Cup Ambassador. She has been a racetrack regular since the age of 10 and she said about big racing events: “I love the pageantry, the traditions, the clothes. It’s a magical place.”
Other prominent US celebrities who enjoy the sport and have raced in their own and partnership capacities include actors Jack Nicholson and Kevin Costner, musician MC Hammer and Olympic Gold Medalist, Bode Miller. Madonna, the Material Girl herself, has owned several racehorses and is known to make appearances at racing events to support them.
In the UK, Manchester United’s celebrated manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, is a lifelong racing fan. He started buying thoroughbreds at the height of his career and struck gold early as a member of the partnership who owned seven-time Group 1 winner, Rock Of Gibraltar.
More recently, he enjoyed big wins with Clan Des Obeaux, a dual winner of the King George VI Chase, and Protektorat, who placed in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Sir Alex’s involvement in both flat and jumps racing has made him one of the most visible celebrity owners in the UK. Another regular racegoer is former Tottenham Hotspur manager, Harry Redknapp.
DJ Jazzy D with jockey Sereno Moodley (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Not far behind the Manchester United legend in popularity is former England striker Michael Owen, who made a transition from scoring goals to breeding and racing thoroughbreds.
In 2006, he founded Manor House Stables, a state-of-the-art training facility that has been home to several top-class horses, initially under trainer Tom Dascombe, and more recently with Hugo Palmer.
With between 50-70 horses currently in training, Owen has also launched the Michael Owen Racing Club, offering fractional ownership to members at under £100 a month.
Owen likes to give his horses names that mean something to him personally. He also wants them to be catchy—like Brown Panther, named after his childhood teddy bear. Brown Panther won the 2015 Dubai Gold Cup.
In a 2024 interview, Owen said that public interest in his racing club has never been higher. “It’s really positive. I am ballsy,” he noted.
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