Who Owns Kentucky Derby 2018 Winner Justify.
The 144th Kentucky Derby winner Justify's ownership team includes WinStar Farms, China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners and Starlight Racing probably, who probably knew they had a winner from the get go.
It is said that great minds think alike.
WinStar Farms owner agrees. Billionaire Kenny Troutt, who made his fortune in telecom (he cofounded Excel Communications) believed that a partnership with people who believed in racing top quality horses could tip the odds in their favour to finding a Kentucky Derby winner.
The Deal
According to an interview with Herald Leader, WinStar CEO Elliott Walden said the real deal was put together two years ago. WinStar reached out to other horse interests to create an environment where, together, they could have many more top quality horses like as Justify and Audible in-training with the best trainers, targeting the top races.
Sol Kumin who races under Head of Plains Partners, became the first owner to win the Kentucky Oaks and the Derby in the same weekend since Calumet Farm in 1952. He won the Oaks on Friday with Monomoy Girl.
Folger Hill was started in 2014 after Kumin left billionaire investor Steven A. Cohen’s SAC, where he had been chief operating officer. He quickly raised more than $1 billion in assets for the firm, which sought to mimic SAC, where teams of stock pickers vied for a central pool of money to invest and the firm delivered average annual returns of 30 percent.
The third partner in this group is erstwhile professor, hedge fund manager and longtime racing fan Jack Wolf. He started Starlight Racing together with his wife Laurie wolf. It was their success with Gr. 1 winner Harlan’s Holiday way back in 2000 that launched Starlight into ‘racing’s upper echelon’ as they like to say.
And the last link in this partnership is Teo Ah Khing, the founder of China Horse Club.
CHC is an horse ownership group that has made a big splash in horse racing over the last three years. The Malaysian-born Fujian native Teo Ah Khing is an acclaimed architect and entrepreneur with a portfolio of companies. He has also been a senior advisor to Heads of State and the iconic jewel in thoroughbred racing, Dubai’s Meydan Grandstand which is Home to the Dubai World Cup.
The China Horse Club (CHC) promotes itself as Asia’s premier lifestyle, business and thoroughbred racing club.
Whats Next?
Trainer Bob Baffert said Monday that Justify is “probable” for the Preakness. Looks like Justify is all set to chase the Triple Crown for his esteemed owners.
To read more about this champion in the making click
HERE.