By TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Sports
You can buy a lot of things on the internet.
Patrick Fertitta bought a dream, a dream that is paying off more than he ever “dreamed.”
“I always wanted to own a horse,” said Fertitta, who helps his mother run Fertitta’s Delicatessen, “Home of the World Famous Muffy” in Shreveport. He also oversees Padre Fertitta Foods, an online store which sells sauces, olive mix, and other products from his family’s recipe book.
“When I was 18 to 20 years old, that’s when I really started getting interested (in racing) and wanting to do something, but I never really had the money. They call it the Sport of Kings, and there’s a reason. You’ve got to have a lot of money to do it.”
Last year, Fertitta, now 41 years old, did what a lot of us do when we want to go shopping.
He went online.
“I saw an ad on the internet.”
That ad offered the opportunity to own shares of a thoroughbred.
“They go in and figure out an 18-month allowance for expenses such as training costs, feed, stable, and all of that. That’s all packaged together. They have an equity price on the horse itself. They split it up into a certain number of shares, and they sell it at $50 a share.”
Just like a lot of products on the internet, the description sounded too good to pass up.
“I thought since there are no additional expenses, this would be a fun way for me to realize my dream, and I’m not going to have ongoing expenses. I thought, ‘I will throw some money at this.’ I fully expected to lose it, but I would get to own a horse and have fun, watch it race, and say ‘That’s my horse.’”
There were several horses that Fertitta could choose. One caught his attention — Country Grammer.
“I started reading about him, and noticed Bob Baffert was his trainer. I’ve always liked Baffert as a trainer. I think he’s a phenomenal trainer. I looked at the history of the horse, and I thought that would be a good horse to put some money behind.”
So, last July, Fertitta clicked “Pay Now.” But it wasn’t long before he thought he should have paid later.
“The first notice I got after the investment was made was that Country Grammer won’t be able to run in the Pegasus World Cup because he has an injury to his ankle. I was like, well, there goes my money!”
But Country Grammer’s ankle eventually healed. He resumed training and was entered in this year’s Saudi Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Cup is the world’s richest race, with a $20 million purse.
In deep stretch, it looked like Country Grammer had the race won. But a 99-1 shot made a late run and got to the wire first by a half-length. Still, Country Grammer earned a healthy $3.02 million.
Fertitta didn’t watch.
“I was in the hospital room with my stepfather. He was passing away. We were with him as he died, and I missed the race.”
Fertitta’s stepfather died the same time the race began.
“I was thinking my stepfather missed the race. Then, I thought, well, maybe not.”
Exactly one month later, Fertitta did watch Country Grammer’s next race—the $12 million Dubai World Cup. As the field hit the top of the stretch, Country Grammer was third. But in deep stretch, he found another gear, and won by a length and a half.
“I was watching at home with my mom and cousin. I’ve got a big-screen TV. As he was running that last leg, my mom and cousin both thought I was going to have a heart attack. He let loose, took off, and won that race.”
The first-place prize of $7.5 million gave Country Grammer a two-race total of $10.52 million. Added to his previous winnings — plus $60,000 for a second-place finish in the San Diego Handicap July 29 — and Country Grammer is eighth on the all-time list for most money earned.
Fertitta won’t say how much money he has invested in Country Grammer, or how much money he has made. But…
“I have made back at least six times my investment.”
This is a good place to let you know Fertitta is a reverend in the Lutheran faith. That’s right, a reverend is a horse owner (“I own about one square inch of his hind end”).
So, how does Rev. Fertitta square an ordained priest being involved in a sport in which there is gambling?
“When I invested in Country Grammer, I had no idea that this opportunity to share the Gospel would result from it. But Jesus did, and maybe that’s the bigger story. Sure, Grammer is an amazing horse, and I love being able to say I have an ownership stake in him. However, I love even more that someone who may be struggling with their faith might read this article, and the Holy Spirit may work in their lives to strengthen them, or produce faith as a result. Nothing is by accident with God.”
Country Grammer is scheduled to race in Saturday’s Grade I, $1 million TVG Pacific Classic—Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s richest and most prestigious race. A win, and Country Grammer is guaranteed a spot in November’s $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.
“If he pulls out those two wins, he’s going to become the fourth-highest earnings horse in history.”
And Fertitta’s dream — bought on the internet — will continue to earn dividends.
Contact Tony at SBJTonyT@gmail.com
Submitted photo
