Horse Racing’s Richest People
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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum is one of horse racing's richest people with more than $14 billion (Photos courtesy of Eclipse Sportswire).
Known as the Sport of Kings, racing has always attracted the rich and famous. America's Best Racing takes a look at some of the richest people who have invested their fortunes in making a run at signature races arond the world.
1) Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum: $14 billion
Sometimes it’s good to be king; or in Sheikh Mohammed’s case, the ruler of Dubai.Sheikh Mohammed is the owner of Darley Stud, the largest horse breeding operation in the world with farms in the United States, Ireland, England, Japan, and Australia. He is also the host of the Dubai World Cup, the richest race in the sport with a purse of $10 million.
2) Alain and Gerard Wertheimer: $8 billion
These French brothers are always in style, as well they should be: they own a little fashion house called Chanel. They clearly have an affinity for all things luxury, including some pricey ponies who win on a global scale.
3) John Magnier: $5.2 Billion
Watch your back, Bruce Springsteen, there’s a new Boss in town. John Magnier made his fortune in the Thoroughbred industry, transforming his family’s estate into a multi-million-euro empire, Coolmore Stud. He now owns stud farms in Ireland, America and Australia and his operation is conservatively valued at over 4 billion euros.
JOHN MAGNIER OWNS ONE OF THE LARGEST RACING EMPIRES IN THE WORLD
4) The Niarchos Family: $2.6 billion
This family of Greek shipping heirs are as famous for their antics as they are for their deep pockets. Although patriarch Philip Niarchos is a very private individual, the younger members of the family have been a lot more public. Perhaps most memorably, Stavros Niarchos dated Paris Hilton in the mid-2000s, resulting in a tabloid frenzy. Although that relationship never really made it out of the starting gate, the family’s horses have fared much better, winning major races in France and appearing in top racing events across the world.
TIE-5) B. Wayne Hughes: $2 billion
Apparently we all need to start taking notes when we’re watching “Storage Wars” – after all, that’s how self-made man B. Wayne Hughes earned his billions. The Public Storage founder now owns Kentucky’s Spendthrift Farm and campaigns 2013 Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Beholder.
B. WAYNE HUGHES (white shirt) CELEBRATES BEHOLDER'S WIN IN THE 2013 BREEDERS' CUP DISTAFF
TIE-5) Bob McNair: $2 billion
We’re pretty sure we wouldn’t mind trading places with Bob McNair for the day: not only does he have some pretty awesome racehorses, but he also owns the Houston Texans. OK, so maybe they didn’t have the best 2013 record, but that doesn’t mean that McNair wants out as he’s on record saying that he’ll never sell his $880 million stake in the team. And we don’t blame him: who wouldn’t want to spend their time watching football and horse racing professionally?
7) Gerald J. Ford: $1.9 billion
Everything’s bigger in Texas! Gerald Ford (no, not the President!) is a self-made billionaire banking executive from Dallas, Texas. He’s super successful in pretty much anything he does, including owning racehorses: one of his runners, Pleasantly Perfect, earned nearly $8 million on the racetrack.
8) Kevin Plank: $1.7 billion
Kevin Plank earned his fortune by founding Under Armour. If you’ve ever been to a gym or watched pretty much any sporting event in the last few years, you’ve seen someone wearing his brand of athletic clothing – Tom Brady, arguably the most well-recognized quarterback in the NFL is an endorser and shareholder of the company. Plank is a huge fan of horse racing, and he owns historic Sagamore Farm in Maryland.
IN ADDITION TO OWNING UNDER ARMOUR, PLANK ALSO OWNS SAGAMORE FARM
9) Julio Bozano: $1.8 billion
Self-made Brazilian banking magnate Julio Bozano knows the importance of a diversified portfolio. Not only has he made a literal fortune through banking, he’s also increased his wealth through his investments in Brazilian airlines. He owns more than 300 horses around the world and collects fine art as well. Not a bad way to live life!
10) Charlotte Weber: $1.3 Billion
Mmm, mmm good! Charlotte Weber achieved her riches through the Campbell Soup fortune and she’s parleyed that Cream of Mushroom moolah into an equine empire that includes a 4,500-acre horse farm outside of Ocala, Fla. She’s also very active in an assortment of charities and non-profits, including the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
CHARLOTTE WEBER IS INVOLVED WITH MANY PARTS OF THE EQUINE INDUSTRY
11) Kenny Troutt: $1.2 Billion
A self-made billionaire who seems to have the Midas touch, Troutt amassed his impressive fortune in the telecommunications industry. Oh, and he won that big horse race that people seem to enjoy – the Kentucky Derby – in 2010 with his homebred Super Saver and owns WinStar Farm in Kentucky, which is one of the nation’s top breeding farms. Not bad for a bartender’s son!
Interested in learning more about how to become a racehorse owner? Learn more about the thrills and excitement of owning your own racehorse or joining a partnership or syndicate at: https://www.ownerview.com/getting-started/journey