Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson has officially entered the winner's circle as a racehorse owner. His first starter, a 2-year-old colt named Club Reign, secured a decisive victory by six lengths at Saratoga Race Course on Travers Day.
"Club Reign, baby," Wilson exclaimed after the win, accompanied by his wife, Ciara. "Three Brand, Baby." Wilson, who co-owns the colt under his Three Brand Racing banner, expressed his excitement for the win and praised trainer Whit Beckman.
Club Reign, trained by Beckman and ridden by jockey Edgard Zayas, was a 8-1 longshot before pulling away for a comfortable win. The victory marks a significant moment for Three Brand Racing, which is affiliated with Wilson's 3BRAND apparel company.
Wilson's foray into horse ownership was influenced by his brother's proximity to horse racing hubs and his daughter Sienna's enjoyment of horseback riding. The former NFL quarterback, who led the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl XLVIII victory in 2014, drew a parallel between the thrill of winning a championship and his horse's debut win.
"Obviously, there’s nothing like holding that Lombardi Trophy in front of hundreds and hundreds of millions of people," Wilson stated. "To win on Travers Day, to win in Saratoga first race out, it feels like [winning] rookie of the year."
Following his departure from the NFL, Wilson has taken on a role as an analyst for CBS's pregame show, marking the start of his broadcasting career.