Celebrity chef and renowned restaurateur Bobby Flay has finalized a deal with WinStar Farm to acquire a minority interest in leading 3-year-old colt Creator, this year’s winner of the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) and a contender in Saturday’s $1,500,000 Belmont Stakes (G1).
“I’m thrilled to partner with WinStar Farm on Belmont Stakes contender Creator,” said Flay. “Not only is he a talented racehorse with tremendous potential, Creator is already a Grade 1-winning colt by Tapit, which makes him an exciting stallion prospect. It’s a rare opportunity to partner with a first-class racing and stallion operation like WinStar, and I want to thank Kenny and Lisa Troutt and Elliott Walden. I look forward to many thrilling moments at the races with Creator, and then down the line with Creator’s progeny.”
WinStar President, CEO, and Racing Manager Elliott Walden added: “Bobby is one of the most passionate owners and advocates we have in the industry. He’s a tremendous spokesperson for horse racing, and his energy and dedication are things this industry needs more of. We are excited to have him on our team, particularly with a horse like Creator that has the potential to compete in our sport’s most mainstream events.”
Trained by Steve Asmussen, Creator scored his biggest victory to date in the Arkansas Derby in April, powering home to a decisive 1 ¼-length score over Suddenbreakingnews to become a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby. The fast-rising gray son of Tapit encountered heavy traffic trouble in last month’s Run for the Roses, significantly compromising his performance.
Creator has since been pointed for a start in this Saturday’s Belmont Stakes, the final jewel of the 2016 American classics. Based at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, the colt was shipped to New York last weekend and recently put in his final major piece of training for the 1 ½-mile race, turning in a half-mile breeze in 50 3/5 seconds on Monday at Belmont. He will be ridden for the first time by top local jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes.
Creator has earned $768,320 to date and is the highest-earning racehorse in North America this year by champion sire Tapit. A $440,000 yearling purchase by WinStar, Creator is out of the three-time Peruvian champion racemare Morena.
Bradley Weisbord of BSW Bloodstock brokered the transaction on Tuesday, representing both the buyer and seller. Plans call for Creator to stand stud at WinStar Farm in Versailles, Kentucky at the conclusion of his racing career.
