When Gronkowski races in the Kentucky Derby on May 5 this year, Rob Gronkowski will have more than just a passing interest in how the racehorse performs.
According to Jim Chairusmi of the Wall Street Journal, Gronk is purchasing a stake in the horse, which recently qualified for the Derby by winning the Burradon Stakes in England.
Horse named Gronkowski just won the Burradon Stakes in England and has qualified to run in the Kentucky Derby pic.twitter.com/QkJlkPdVbS
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) March 30, 2018
Per Chairusmi, the deal is set to be announced on Thursday with Phoenix Thoroughbreds, a global horse racing investment fund with about 130 horses in its racing and breeding operations. The terms of Gronk’s share were not disclosed.
“I’ve never dealt with horses,” Gronkowski said, speaking with the WSJ. “Hopefully I can get a ride on the horse. … It will be a new experience. Hopefully it will be something I like. I like new hobbies,” he said.
Gronkowski (the horse) has won all three professional races it has entered. Though, all of them were won on synthetic tracks. So, it’s going to be interesting to see how the son of Australian champion Lonhro performs in front of the masses at Churchill Downs next month.
No doubt, Gronk (the football player) will have fun, regardless of what happens on the track.