Flay Purchases Minority Interest in Creator
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Photo: Skip Dickstein
Creator, at Churchill Downs before Kentucky Derby.
Celebrity chef and prominent horse owner Bobby Flay has finalized a deal with WinStar Farm to acquire a minority interest in Arkansas Derby (gr. I) winner Creator, a son of leading sire Tapit who is scheduled to make his next start in the June 11, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
“I'm thrilled to partner with WinStar Farm on Belmont Stakes contender Creator,” Flay said in a release. “Not only is he a talented racehorse with tremendous potential, Creator is already a grade I-winning colt by Tapit, which makes him an exciting stallion prospect. It's a rare opportunity to partner with a first-class racing and stallion operation like WinStar, and I want to thank Kenny and Lisa Troutt and Elliott Walden. I look forward to many thrilling moments at the races with Creator, and then down the line with Creator's progeny.”
“Bobby is one of the most passionate owners and advocates we have in the industry,” WinStar president, CEO, and racing manager Elliott Walden said in a statement. “He’s a tremendous spokesperson for horse racing, and his energy and dedication are things this industry needs more of. We are excited to have him on our team, particularly with a horse like Creator that has the potential to compete in our sport’s most mainstream events.”
Trained by Steve Asmussen, Creator has won two of five starts, with earnings of $768,320. Following his 1 1/4-length Arkansas Derby score, the colt finished a troubled 13th in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). He will be ridden for the first time by Irad Ortiz Jr. in the Belmont.
Out of three-time Peruvian champion race mare Morena bred in Kentucky by Mt. Brilliant Broodmares, Creator was purchased for $440,000 from Gainesway, agent for Mt. Brilliant, at the 2014 Keeneland September yearling sale.