UPDATE: Former MLB star Jayson Werth has officially declared horse racing as his new passion, launching a horse racing syndicate called Icon Racing. This announcement comes just in time for the Breeders’ Cup, often dubbed the “World Series of racing,” taking place at Del Mar this weekend.
In a candid conversation with reporters, Werth revealed that his love for horse racing has overtaken his enthusiasm for baseball. “I’m here at a yearling sale in Keeneland, Kentucky—wait, I’ve got to go bid on a horse,” he said, excitedly referring to his latest acquisition: a Good Magic colt that cost him $110,000. This colt is now part of a growing roster for Icon Racing, where Werth and around 25-30 investors aim to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
The former Dodger and Blue Jay, who played in the MLB from 2002 to 2017, has quickly found joy in ownership. “In horse racing, you do it with your family and friends,” he explained. “Whether you win or lose, you get to do it with people you want to do it with.”
Werth’s foray into horse racing began casually through golfing with friends who owned thoroughbreds, but it quickly transformed into a full-fledged passion. “I went to a race and thought this is cool,” he recalled. “Then I owned a horse and went, ‘I get it. This is what it’s all about.’”
This weekend, Werth will have a horse named Outfielder running in the Juvenile Turf at the Breeders’ Cup, a significant event in the horse racing calendar. His enthusiasm is palpable as he describes the thrill of being involved: “You’re back on the team. You go in the paddock and the trainer and jockey come, and it’s like a huddle. Go team!”
Despite the intense competition, Werth has faced his own challenges in this new arena. Reflecting on his experience with a horse named Dornoch, who competed in the Kentucky Derby and finished 10th, he admitted, “I’ve never experienced anything like that in my life.” Dornoch later surprised everyone by winning the Belmont Stakes, giving Werth a taste of triumph he never anticipated.
“There’s an old adage to avoid buying an airplane, a restaurant, or a racehorse,” Werth noted wryly. “I never got that memo.” His journey into horse racing has been thrilling, but also filled with nerves. “In horse racing, I’m a nervous wreck. I’m sweating,” he confessed, remembering the adrenaline rush during the Derby.
As he continues to navigate this new path, Werth remains focused on building his equestrian dreams. “This is something we wanted to do just for fun, and it has been awesome,” he said, expressing his love for the competition and the camaraderie it brings. “With Dornoch, I owned 10% of the horse but had 100% of the fun.”
As the World Series of baseball unfolds, Werth’s past with the Los Angeles Dodgers is bittersweet. “The Dodgers released me; it’s hard to root for them,” he stated, highlighting his shifting loyalties as he immerses himself in the world of horse racing.
Stay tuned for more updates as Werth and Icon Racing strive to make their mark in this thrilling new chapter of the sport.
