WEALTHIEST AMERICANS IN HORSE RACING, 2018

The annual Forbes “definitive ranking of the wealthiest Americans,” better known as The Forbes 400, includes at least seven individuals who particpate in horse racing in a major way.  Six of the seven are racehorse owners and the other owns two racetracks.

John Malone.  Age 77.  Net worth $7.5 billion.  Forbes rank:  #67/400.  Principal source of wealth is cable television.  Owns Bridlewood Farm in Florida and Ballylinch Stud in Ireland.

Daniel Gilbert.  Age 56.  Net worth $7.1 billion.  Forbes rank:  #71/400.  Principal source of wealth is mortgage loans.  Through his casino companies, he owns Turfway Park and Thistledown racetracks.

B. Wayne Hughes.  Age 85.  Net worth $2.9 billion.  Forbes rank:  #280/400.  Principal source of wealth is self-storage facilities.  Owns Spendthrift Farm.

Gayle Benson.  Age 71.  Net worth $2.9 billion.  Forbes rank:  #298/400.  Principal source of wealth is professional sports teams.  Widow of Tom Benson.  Horses run under the banner of GMB Racing.

Lee Bass.  Age 62.  Net worth $2.5 billion.  Forbes rank:  #328/400.  Principal sources of wealth are oil and investments.  Horses race in the name of Lee’s wife Ramona.

Brad Kelley.  Age 61.  Net worth $2.4 billion.  Forbes rank:  #344/400.  Principal source of wealth is tobacco.  Owns Calumet Farm.

Vincent Viola.  Age 62.  Net worth $2.4 billion.  Forbes rank:  #344/400.  Principal source of wealth is electronic trading.   Among other horses, owns part of 2017 Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming.

Three of these billionaires own professional sports teams:  John Malone, Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball;  Daniel Gilbert, Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association; and Gayle Benson, New Orleans Saints of the National Football League and New Orleans Pelicans of the NBA.

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