Gronkowski's connections eye Belmont Stakes, Breeders' Cup
Owner Phoenix Thoroughbreds announced Tuesday that Gronkowski, who won't make the 2018 Kentucky Derby as originally planned, will resume training next week in preparation for his U.S. debut in the Jun 9 Belmont Stakes.
The Phoenix race team was forced to bypass the upcoming Kentucky Derby after the horse experienced a minor infection, which prevented his travel from Newmarket, England, to Kentucky. The horse is now on antibiotics and is expected back on the track early next week.
“Gronkowski the horse is recovering very well from a small infection, “ said Tom Ludt, Vice President of equine operations for Phoenix Thoroughbreds, which owns the towering 3-year-old colt. “He’s extremely strong and we are excited about getting him to the U.S. to compete at The Belmont.”
The Phoenix race team, which now includes the colt’s co-owner, New England Patriots all-pro tight end and two-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski, expects the horse to make a big impact on American racing. In addition to the Belmont, the Phoenix team has its eyes set on the November Breeder’s Cup Classic at Churchill Downs.
Rob Gronkowski recently acquired a substantial stake in his namesake racehorse and was planning to travel to the Derby to meet the colt for the first time.
“This horse is a fighter and a winner,” Gronkowski said. “As an athlete, I understand the need for rest and recovery time. I’m glad that he’s recovering quickly, and I look forward to meeting him soon and taking some selfies!”
Gronkowski the football player and Gronkowski the horse share some similar traits, as both are fierce competitors and possess imposing physiques on their respective athletic fields. Gronk the man is 6-feet, 6-inches tall and weighs in at 265 pounds, while the horse is a massive 16.3 hands tall and tips the scales at 1,212 ½ pounds.
Gronkowski the horse was sired by champion Lonhro, Australia’s Racehorse of the Year in 2003-’04, and was bred in Kentucky as the first foal from the mare Four Sugars, a daughter of twice champion American racehorse Lookin At Lucky. Phoenix Thoroughbreds, founded by Dubai-based businessman Amer Abdulaziz, purchased Gronkowski in 2017.