Gronkowski buys stake in Gronkowski the horse
An army of Gronkowskis is set to descend upon Churchill Downs.
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski announced Wednesday that he has partnered with Phoenix Thoroughbreds Ltd. to acquire a minority stake in Gronkowski, the 3year-old racehorse who earned a spot in the Kentucky Derby.
“This horse is a winner, and I love a winner,” Gronkowski was quoted in his personal blog, Gronk Nation. “When I heard about the racehorse being named after me, I started watching and got really stoked when he started winning. He’s won his last three races and is now headed to the Derby. I’m all in: Welcome to the Gronk Family, Gronkowski the Horse!”
Gronkowski reportedly did not show for the first phase of New England’s voluntary workout program, which started Monday, and has appeared on various social media posts with his girlfriend. It has led to speculation about his status with the team and potentially his future in the NFL.
Gronkowski, the horse, is considered a long shot to win the Derby, with the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook listing the colt with 80-1 odds, as of Tuesday. It has won four of six career races, including three consecutive victories in England this year.
“I really can’t think of anything cooler than having a top-class thoroughbred named after me,” Gronkowski said in his blog. “Except maybe having him win the Derby.”
Phoenix Thoroughbreds bought Gronkowski, the son of Australian champion Lonhro, last year in a training auction in England. Trainer Jeremy Noseda, a big Patriots fan, will team with regular jockey, Jamie Spencer, for the May 5 riding of the Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown. A week before the Kentucky Derby, the horse will be shipped from Noseda’s stables in Newmarket, England. After that, Gronkowski the person will arrange a time to officially meet Gronkowski the horse.
“I loved the big rangy horse, just basically built like a tank,” Kerri Radcliffe, the bloodstock agent who purchased the horse on behalf of Phoenix Thoroughbreds, told USA TODAY by phone.