Thoroughbred racing in the United States has a long association with celebrities and dignitaries, from presidents like Andrew Jackson, who owned and raced horses; to sports icons like Hall of Fame basketball star Michael Jordan, a regular at the Kentucky Derby; to supermodel Kate Upton, a known horse enthusiast and former Breeders’ Cup ambassador.

Celebrities who regularly attend or attended the races, many of whom own and breed Thoroughbreds, include: 

Rauw Alejandro - rapper/hip-hop artist

Burt Bacharach - vocalist, composer, producer

Elizabeth Banks -  actress

Drew Brees - NFL quarterback

Alex Bregman - pro baseball player

Walker Buehler - pro baseball player

Laura Bell Bundy - actress

James Carville - political analyst and strategist

Rex Chapman - former NBA player

Kevin Costner - actor, director

Bing Crosby - singer, actor

Lindsay Czarniak - former Sportscenter anchor and sports journalist

Bo Derek (Eclipse Sportswire)

Bo Derek - actress, producer, model

Rob Dyrdek - skateboarder, actor, producer

Elizabeth II - Queen of England

Bobby Flay - celebrity chef

Alex Ferguson - soccer manager

MC Hammer - rapper/hip-hop icon

Elizabeth Hurley - actress

Steven Jackson - NFL running back

Avery Johnson - NBA coach, former NBA player

Griffin Johnson - influencer

Toby Keith - country music star

Travis Kelce - pro football player

Jack Klugman - actor

Lil Wayne - rapper/hip-hop artist

Lil Yachty - rapper/hip-hop artist

Paul Lo Duca - baseball player

Bode Miller - skier

BODE MILLER WITH TRAINER BOB BAFFERT (Eclipse Sportswire)

John Ortiz - actor

Michael Owen - former pro soccer player

Rick Pitino - college basketball coach

Gary Player - professional golfer

Dave Portnoy - Barstool Sports founder

Ian Rapoport - pro football journalist

Aaron Rodgers - pro football player

Jim Rome - sports broadcaster

Wayne Rooney -  soccer player

Telly Savalas -  actor

Steven Spielberg - film director, producer

George Steinbrenner - longtime New York Yankees owner

Joy Taylor - national sports media personality

Joe Torre - MLB executive, former manager

Alex Trebek - game show host, “Jeopardy!”

Russell WIlson - retired NFL quarterback

Wes Welker - retired NFL wide receiver

Jayson Werth - retired pro baseball player

Ron Wood - rock star, The Rolling Stones