Horse racing is a sport that makes us think about glamour, tradition, high society – and very rich people. So it’s hardly surprising that there are so many Hollywood celebrities who are passionate about the sport. Some of them are just casual fans, some like a flutter, while others have gone so far as to become actual racehorse owners. Some of the biggest stars are regularly seen dressing up and mingling with royalty in private boxes, and sometimes even getting an invitation to celebrate in the winner’s circle.
While there are some who just want a bit of action and glamour, there are lots who love to browse tomorrow’s horse racing cards to find upcoming events and see if they can add even more money to their already overflowing bank accounts.
Here, we’re going to look at some of the biggest horse racing aficionados in La La Land.
Elizabeth Hurley
Elizabeth Hurley, the Brit who is famous for her plummy voice and bikini shots, loves to take her fashion sense to the racing tracks (obviously not the swimwear). Hurley is a regular at Royal Ascot – and she’s not just there for the photo ops either, she actually has a genuine love of the sport, and you’ll often spot her hanging out with the owners and trainers in the paddock.
Jack Nicholson
When you think of legendary actor Jack Nicholson, you’ll probably think of his iconic roles in The Shining and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – and not necessarily him at the tracks. However, he’s also actually a longtime horse racing enthusiast. Nicholson loves sports – and there’s nothing he likes more than watching NBA games and enjoying the thrills of major horse races.
Kirsten Dunst
Kirsten Dunst, the Oscar-nominated Hollywood actress, is another star who’s a fan of horse racing, and you’ll often see her attending some of the biggest US horse racing events, including the Kentucky Derby. In one interview she gave, she once mentioned that she actually grew up near a racetrack in New Jersey and loved the atmosphere. She loved the sound of hooves, the excited crowds and how unpredictable it all was… and it’s never left her.
Joe Pesci
He may be known for his tough-guy roles in movies like Goodfellas and Casino, but Joe Pesci definitely has a much softer side when it comes to thoroughbreds. He’s actually been a silent partner in a number of different racing syndicates over the years. Indeed, not only is he known to invest in horses because of the potential wins, but also because he simply loves the sport’s pageantry and strategy.
Patrick Dempsey
It’s not just patients that ‘McDreamy’ dreams about! He’s also quite the fan of horse racing. Patrick Dempsey has been linked to horse racing after having been spotted at various charity events – and he’s even spoken openly about how much he enjoys watching jockeys and horses in action. Although he’s more famous for his love of motorsport, it seems he loves the excitement of all forms of racing… including the horse racing track.
Pharrell Williams
There’s plenty that makes Pharrell Williams happy… and apparently being at the race tracks is one of those things. Williams is quite an unpredictable chap, and he’s never quite what you expect him to be or where you expect him to be!
Is it the love of the action that keeps him coming back for more? Maybe, but chances are he’s also there for fashion – after all, this is a man who knows how to stand out from the crowd when it comes to his sartorial choices. He’s been spotted several times in the audience of the Kentucky Derby – and each of those times, he’s attracted almost as much attention as the race itself thanks to his outfits!
Aaron Rodgers
Another one who frequently haunts the Kentucky Derby is Aaron Rogers. But why? Well, as an NFL player, he obviously loves his sports… and by attending the Kentucky Derby, it’s a great way to blend the sporting and the social!
Celebrities Turned Horse Owners
And there are some celebrities that love it so much, they’ve even turned racehorse owners! They’ve jumped on the bandwagon and taken their love of the sport to a whole new level…
Bobby Flay
Bobby Flay isn’t just someone who likes serving up animals for dinner. No, celebrity chef Bobby Flay has also got involved in horse race ownership – and some of his horses have even competed in the Kentucky Derby! He definitely adds a little sugar and spice to the world of racing!
Madonna
You might not see her at lots of races, but the Queen of Pop, Madonna, has been spotted at a few high-profile events in the U.S. and UK – and she sparks quite the frenzy when she’s there. But this material girl doesn’t just like watching the races, she’s also owned some races in her time as well!
When she rocked up at Royal Ascot in 2013, forget the winners – it was her being there that ended up becoming one of the highlights of the meet that year!
Toby Keith
People who grow up in the country are always going to have an attachment to animals and horses, so it’s unsurprising that there are lots of Country music stars who love a bit of horse racing action. And one such person is Toby Keith, who doesn’t just love watching horse races, he actually breeds and owns racehorses as well. In fact, his horses have competed at some very well-respected events, and he’s considered by many in the industry to be one of the more serious celebrity owners in the game. He’s even incorporated the themes of racing and rodeo into his music!
Why Celebrities Love the Race Tracks
Watching a horse race isn’t just about watching lots of magnificent looking creatures running around in circles. They’re a great place to socialise and mingle. You’ll often see these celebrities hanging out in the executive lounges, drinking champagne and cocktails, and just having a bit of fun… as the racing goes on around them.
And then, of course, there’s the thrill of the race! Celebrities have quite a bit of money to spare… So what could be more exciting than betting some of that on a winner?!
Ultimately, the races are the perfect places to network with other rich and famous people – and maybe show off their fashion sense while they’re at it! And, in all honesty – lots of celebrities just love the sport itself!
A Rich Person’s Sport
One thing’s for sure – as long as there’s high-stakes drama and world-class glamour, you can bet that the stars of Hollywood will keep showing up, champagne in hand.