Following his recent NBA Championship victory, Denver Nuggets’ superstar, Nikola Jokic, is already back to winning ways. But this time, it’s not on the basketball court; it’s on the racetrack, as a successful owner of thoroughbred horses.
In the 60th Ljubicevski Equestrian Games held in Pozarevac, Serbia, Jokic entered two horses into the competition: Brenno Laumar and Amy Del Duomo. Out of eight horses, Brenno Laumar took first place while Amy Del Duomo secured the second position.
Brenno Laumar’s triumph isn’t a surprising feat, considering the horse has won six out of eight races during the summer season. Just a day before, Amsterdam JMH, another horse from Jokic’s Dream Catcher stable, triumphed in a race featuring eight other horses.
Jokic’s involvement in horse racing is no seasonal fling. He has participated in multiple horse races during the offseason. Just last month, he was spotted with his Nuggets teammate, Aaron Gordon, in Serbia, enjoying some horse racing.
Jokic: The Hoops Star with a Passion for Horse Racing
Nikola Jokic has never been shy about his love for horse racing. When asked in June if he would purchase another horse if he secured an NBA Finals victory, Jokic humorously replied:
โProbably, even if I lose.โ
After Denver’s NBA Finals win against the Miami Heat in June, the NBA Finals MVP revealed his intention to return to Serbia specifically for horse racing. In a 2016 interview with Slam, Jokic shared that during his early teenage years, he chose horse racing over basketball.
โBasketball was always in my life,โ he said. โI had two older brothers who played basketball. I fell in love with basketball because of them. We would always play together. But then, at some point in my life, I veered towards horse racing.
โI just fell in love with horses and their beauty and elegance. It was like a hobby for me. I didn’t get serious with it. And I wasnโt taking basketball serious either. I was caught between the two,โ
Jokic’s passion for horse racing has come full circle, adding a unique dimension to his illustrious career and solidifying his status as a truly talented athlete.
