HORSE racing always brings the biggest celebrities to its events.
Whether they’re at Ascot, Cheltenham or the Grand National, famous types can’t get enough excitement cheering on the gee-gee’s.
But some take their love for the sport further, shelling out some serious cash to buy their own horses.
So, who are horse racing’s most famous owners?
SIR ALEX FERGUSON
When the legendary ex-Manchester United boss wasn’t casting an eye over his squad in training at Carrington, he could be found at the racetrack.
Most famously, Fergie owned Rock of Gibraltar, the 2002 European horse of the year, with Sue Magnier.
It ran in United’s colours, and earned over £1.1million in earnings.
Another is Give Me A Copper, that was due to race at the Grand National this year before the event was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
While King George VI Chase back-to-back winner Clan Des Obeaux is one of Fergie’s successful recent horses.
LIZ HURLEY
The British actress, and former girlfriend of Hugh Grant, is a regular at Epsom and Ascot races.
So, it’s unsurprising she owns her own horse.
Hurley first got involved in the sport when she met Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s Harry Herbert at a party in 2009.
The well-connected star has several horses, once selling Memory to the Queen for breeding purposes in 2011 for £500,000.
WAYNE ROONEY
The Manchester United and England record goalscorer used to be heavily involved with horse racing.
Rooney owned several horses with wife Coleen, including Switcharooney and Pippy – however they were retired with just one win in 23 starts between them.
Later, the Derby County star teamed up with former team mates Michael Carrick, Jonny Evans and John O’Shea to own a stake in Announcement in 2014.
A year later, the footballers relinquished ownership.
THE QUEEN
Incredibly, Her Majesty has been a horse owner longer than she’s been a queen – inheriting the breeding and racing stock of her late father King George VI just before her coronation in 1953.
And she’s reportedly the most successful, said to have earned over £7million in winnings through the years.
She had four winners at Ascot in 1957, and came close to winning the Grand National as an owner just a year earlier.
It was said last year that out of 2,830 races her 100 horses have run in, they’d won 451 of them.
RONNIE WOOD
When he’s not touring the world with the Rolling Stones, or painting abstract art, Wood is keeping an eye on his horses.
The guitarist had success as a breeder with Sandymount Duke, who won its first race with odds at 40-1.
That earned Wood the title of ‘Small Breeder of the Year’ in 1999.
At the Curragh racecourse in Ireland, Wood is regularly seen watching his horses train and run.
DAME JUDI DENCH
Academy Award winner Dench has long been affiliated with the world of horse racing, thanks to an interest as a child growing up in York.
She co-owns As De Mee, which is expected to run at next year’s Grand National.
Previously, Dench backed Smokey Oakey, which scored some success winning seven times during his career, including the Lincoln and Brigadier Gerard Stakes in 2008.
Sadly, Smokey Oakey was put down aged 14 in 2018.
STEVEN SPIELBERG
Another member of Hollywood’s glitterati, movie director Spielberg fell in love with horse racing after directing film Sea Biscuit.
His new found passion inspired him to buy a 10 per cent stake in Atswhatimtalkingabout.
It finished fourth at the 2003 Kentucky Derby, and is the E.T. the extra terrestrial star’s most successful horse.
Later, Spielberg invested his cash into Delaware’s Biscuit Stables.
JEREMY KYLE
The TV host is a regular at Cheltenham through the years.
And that inspired him to swap DNA tests and family feuds for a stake in Glen Rocco, along with Coral PR man David Stevens and Ged Mason.
Glen Rocco was due to race at the Grand National this year, before it was called off.
It is likely it will be in contention next year.
MC HAMMER
You can’t touch this.
Or you couldn’t in 1991, when MC Hammer’s Lite Light, a multiple Grade 1 Stakes winner, roared to victory at the Kentucky Derby.
He also owned Dance Floor, which ran the Kentucky Derby a year later.
However, in 1996 MC Hammer fell on hard times and filed for bankruptcy – ending Oaktown Stables.
MICHAEL OWEN
After hanging up his boots, Owen turned his attentions to the track.
He invested his cash into Manor House Stables, which he opened with his wife Louise in Cheshire in 2007.
And the pair have scored some success as owners.
Brown Panther was the first horse to secure a Group I victory, winning the Irish St. Leger in September 2014.
CAROL VORDERMAN AND RICHARD HAMMOND
The former Countdown star and ex-Top Gear presenter are part-owners of Subway Surf, worth £35,000.
Back in 2019, Vorderman revelled in victory as Subway Surf won at Cheltenham.
She revealed she “owned about a leg of a nice horse” on Twitter to her fans.
Vorderman has since been seen cheering on Subway Surf at various events, including the Cheltenham Festival.
