The Legendary Boxers Who Have Been Obsessed With Horse Racing Throughout Their Careers
It is always fun to see what athletes are doing in their free time, and to the surprise of most people, some athletes share a strong passion for an entirely different sport from their main one.
In this case, we have boxers who share a passion for horse racing. Yeah, nothing is similar between these two sports, apart from the adrenaline rush you get when watching them. Yet the personalities attracted to them are surprisingly similar. Both sports obsess over courage, timing, and conditioning. Both sports have unique temperaments and multi-million-dollar prize purses.
Maybe that’s the reason why so many boxers over the years have started developing a close relationship with horse racing. Let’s take a look at some of the names of those who not only entered the horse racing world as fans but also went deeper into ownership and betting.
George Foreman Became a Serious Harness-Racing Owner
First we have George Foreman, who is honestly the best modern example. Most people remember him for winning Olympic gold, destroying Joe Frazier in 1973, and losing the famous Rumble in the Jungle to Muhammad Ali, and somehow becoming a heavyweight champion again at 45.
But if you zoom out, he also had a different character and passion.
The foreman became deeply involved in Standardbred harness racing, to a point where he owned numerous horses and was working with respected trainer George Teague Jr. Even the United States Trotting Association described Foreman as one of the most prominent celebrity participants in the sport.
And he managed to win some races. His most successful horse was Future Destiny, which was a stakes winner who earned more than $250,000 and was owned in partnership with Teague and former NFL player Wayne Chrebet. Quite a combo of owners, right?
This was a horse that was a clear favorite in most races. A type of horse that always exceeded expectations and a horse that bettors would love to see on the card when placing a bet. So, if you’re browsing through all the horse racing bet types, you should first study some history and find out patterns from winning horses that can be used to determine a horse with potential.
Foreman also became associated with the Hambletonian, one of harness racing’s great events, appearing as a trophy presenter as well as an owner.
John Gully Went From Bare-Knuckle Champion to Derby-Winning Owner
Foreman was hardly the first fighter to discover racing.
Nearly two centuries earlier, English prizefighter John Gully created one of the most extraordinary second careers in sporting history.
Gully fought during the bare-knuckle era of the early nineteenth century, became one of Britain’s leading prizefighters, and retired from the ring in 1808.
Then he became seriously involved in horse racing.
Very seriously.
Historical records show him moving into racehorse ownership and betting, and in partnership with Robert Ridsdale, he won the 1832 Epsom Derby with St. Giles. The Jockey Club’s official Derby records also list Gully as the owner of Andover, winner of the 1854 Derby.
Period accounts credit him with interests in several Derby winners during his racing career and enormous betting activity. He later became a Member of Parliament because, apparently, boxing champion, racehorse owner, and professional gambler still left gaps in the calendar.
Peter Fuller Produced One of the Most Controversial Kentucky Derby Stories Ever
American Peter Fuller had a different relationship with boxing.
He was not a world champion, but he competed as a boxer, remained deeply connected to the sport, and later managed fighters. Racing, however, became the part of his sporting life that made history.
Fuller built a substantial Thoroughbred operation and bred and owned Dancer’s Image, the gray colt who crossed the finish line first in the 1968 Kentucky Derby.
Then came one of the Derby’s great controversies.
A post-race test found phenylbutazone, which was prohibited under Kentucky’s rules at the time. The funny thing is that this drug is now a common standard in modern Kentucky Derby races, and most horses use it. Dancer’s Image was disqualified, and Forward Pass eventually became the official winner after years of litigation.
Fuller’s passion for the colt was enormous. Before the race, he was so confident that he reportedly practiced walking from his box to the winner’s circle and prepared an acceptance speech.
Joe Louis Was Horse-Obsessed, Even if Racing Wasn’t His Main Discipline
Joe Louis deserves a place in the broader story, but with an important distinction.
The Brown Bomber was genuinely obsessed with horses.
He just concentrated mainly on American Saddlebreds and horse shows rather than racing.
Louis owned a farm near Detroit, employed prominent Black horseman Henry Jennings, and owned and showed Saddlebreds during his years as heavyweight champion. He also helped establish an all-Black horse show at a time when segregation and discrimination restricted Black equestrians’ opportunities.
The American Saddlebred Museum has documented Louis riding his show horse MacDonald’s Choice and describes him as an important promoter of the breed.
Tyson Fury Has Now Crossed From Racing Fan to Winning Owner
The modern continuation of this tradition is Tyson Fury.
Fury had already spoken about enjoying British racing before his first Kentucky Derby visit in 2021. Churchill Downs reported that he had long wanted to attend the Derby and invited him after trainer Kenny McPeek revealed that Derby contender King Fury had been named partly in his honor.
The story did not end as a celebrity appearance.
Fury eventually became a racehorse owner himself.
He and manager Spencer Brown took ownership interests in Big Gypsy King, a filly whose name references Fury’s “Gypsy King” nickname. In 2025 she gave Fury his first winner as an owner, and in June 2026 she won again after switching to hurdles, scoring at Cartmel by ten lengths.
Fury has also attended race meetings to follow the horse in person, drawing the sort of crowds normally associated with his boxing appearances.
Final Words
If we take a look at athletes from other sports that are interested in horse racing, boxers are high on that list for being the most passionate fans. Yes, these two sports are completely different, but maybe because the career length is shorter in boxing, they are looking for a post-retirement activity to keep them busy.
