The Kentucky Derby always draws star power, but this year, rumors around Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce added an unexpected twist. Whispers of a shared stake in a racehorse quickly caught attention—and even appeared to move betting lines. But just as the buzz peaked, the story took a sharp turn hours before race time.
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According to Fox Sports, speculation that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce held a 10% stake in Derby contender “The Puma” stirred betting markets ahead of the race.
The rumor gained traction after co-owner Michael Iavarone posted a cryptic message online, as per a report by Parade.
"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," he wrote, according to the outlet.
Despite being listed at 10-1, “The Puma” was scratched on Saturday morning. Trainer Gustavo Delgado confirmed the decision, citing a minor health concern.
"We discovered some swelling in his leg due to a skin infection,” Delgado said, according to the Courier Journal. "It’s incredibly disappointing, but the swelling should go down within a day or two. It’s just really bad timing."
He also noted the horse is likely to miss the upcoming Preakness Stakes on May 16, as per a report by Parade.
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While their connection to “The Puma” remains unclear, Travis Kelce does have a known link to the sport.
In 2024, he bought into a racehorse named “Swift Delivery” with the Zoldan family. The horse, trained by Mark E. Casse, is not part of the 2026 Derby lineup. As for whether the celebrity couple will appear at Churchill Downs, fans are still waiting to see.
Did Swift and Kelce actually own part of The Puma?
There’s no confirmation—only speculation fueled by a cryptic comment.
Why was The Puma scratched from the race?
The horse was withdrawn due to swelling caused by a skin infection.
ALSO READ: Stranded by Spirit Airlines shutdown? JetBlue rescue fares, and booking steps
Did Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce influence Derby odds?
According to Fox Sports, speculation that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce held a 10% stake in Derby contender “The Puma” stirred betting markets ahead of the race.
The rumor gained traction after co-owner Michael Iavarone posted a cryptic message online, as per a report by Parade.
"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," he wrote, according to the outlet.
Why was ‘The Puma’ pulled out at the last moment?
Despite being listed at 10-1, “The Puma” was scratched on Saturday morning. Trainer Gustavo Delgado confirmed the decision, citing a minor health concern.
"We discovered some swelling in his leg due to a skin infection,” Delgado said, according to the Courier Journal. "It’s incredibly disappointing, but the swelling should go down within a day or two. It’s just really bad timing."
He also noted the horse is likely to miss the upcoming Preakness Stakes on May 16, as per a report by Parade.
ALSO READ: The ex-JPMorgan banker at the center of harassment suit against Lorna Hajdini just quietly left his new job too
Do Swift or Kelce have ties to horse racing?
While their connection to “The Puma” remains unclear, Travis Kelce does have a known link to the sport.
In 2024, he bought into a racehorse named “Swift Delivery” with the Zoldan family. The horse, trained by Mark E. Casse, is not part of the 2026 Derby lineup. As for whether the celebrity couple will appear at Churchill Downs, fans are still waiting to see.
FAQs
Did Swift and Kelce actually own part of The Puma?
There’s no confirmation—only speculation fueled by a cryptic comment.
Why was The Puma scratched from the race?
The horse was withdrawn due to swelling caused by a skin infection.
