Why fans think Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce own a horse in 2026 Kentucky Derby

Why fans think Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce own a horse in 2026 Kentucky Derby originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Each year, the Kentucky Derby draws in viewers far and wide to watch one of the most prolific horse races in the world. This year, pop culture fans may want to keep an even closer eye on this year’s 152nd edition.

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This week, rumors circulated that Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and his celebrity girlfriend, Taylor Swift, secretly owned a share in the current 8-1 favorite, The Puma. While nothing is a bona fide definite, one of the horse’s co-owners did all but shut down that rumor.

Along with that, another one of the horse’s co-owners also went in with Kelce to purchase his horse, Swift Delivery, in 2024. If Kelce and Swift were to appear at Churchill Downs on Saturday, fans may want to keep an eye on their reaction if The Puma were to cross the finish line in a top position.

Here’s the rundown on whether one of the most famous celebrity couples in the world has a horse running at this year’s Kentucky Derby.

MORE: Which horses are this year’s best bets to win the Kentucky Derby?

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Do Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce own a Kentucky Derby horse?

It remains uncertain if Swift and Kelce own a stake in The Puma. However, signs have been pointing to yes as of late.

According to Fox Sports, one of The Puma’s co-owners, Michael A. Iavarone, posted an Instagram story that fed into the rumor. Here is a quote of what Iavarone posted:

“OK people. Everyone asking me if Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are partners on The Puma… all I can say is I signed an NDA, so I can’t confirm or deny.”

Another important point is that one of The Puma’s co-owners, Bruce Zoldan, also owned a significant share of Kelce’s 2024 horse named Swift Delivery, according to ESPN. The tight end appeared at that year’s Kentucky Derby, despite his horse not racing at the event.

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After the social media frenzy, The Puma’s odds went as low as 7-2 to win the 152nd Kentucky Derby according to Fox Sports. As of 1:30 p.m. ET on May 1, the horse’s odds have jumped back up to 8-1, per Kentucky Derby live odds. This is still a decrease from The Puma’s opening line of 10-1.

Chris Fallica of Bear Bets discussed the rapid fall of odds for the alleged Swift-Kelce horse. According to Fallica, this is lining up to be a classic trap bet that is aimed to gain leverage on a horse that just hasn’t seen as much success as its odds would appear.