Travis Kelce got horse with Taylor Swift nod in name after last Kentucky Derby

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce attended the 2024 Kentucky Derby and was so enamoured with the sport that he has purchased a racehorse with a Taylor Swift-inspired name

Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce is the proud owner of a racehorse named in tribute to his girlfriend, Taylor Swift. However, fans won't be seeing this horse at the Kentucky Derby this year.

The three-time Super Bowl champ made an appearance at the 2024 edition of the globally renowned Churchill Downs race meeting in Louisville, marking its 150th staging. Dressed in a standout light grey pinstripe suit and a navy hat, the 35-year-old NFL star certainly made a fashion statement on this historic day.

Kelce had backed Forever Young to win the last race, but it was Mystik Dan's day to shine, with the Chiefs tight end's choice coming in third behind Sierra Leone. After a thrilling photo finish that perfectly encapsulated the excitement of the milestone event, it seems Kelce left Kentucky with a newfound passion for horse racing.

After spending the day rubbing shoulders with horse owners Bruce and Alex Zoldan, Kelce was persuaded to dip his toes into the world of racehorse ownership. Now, he can proudly call himself the co-owner of a three-year-old gelding named Swift Delivery - a fitting name considering his relationship with the pop sensation of the same name.

Kelce has shared an update on his horse's condition, confirming his brother Jason's earlier statement that the steed is no longer in the running for Triple Crown glory, thus missing out on the Kentucky Derby. On his 'New Heights' podcast, Travis expressed his admiration for Swift Delivery's performance: "I liked the way that Swift Delivery ran. I've seen three or four races that Swift Delivery has been in, and sure enough heard nothing but great reviews.

"It's more of a finishing horse. It comes around that [last] turn and just hits the top speed and kind of saves the last straightway with all the juice that it's got."

Travis also recounted how his Derby experience sparked his interest in horse racing, noting, "I had one of the best times ever at the Derby and they were my hosts, and sure enough, I was like, 'Man, it'd be fun to get involved and see one of your horses in a race. Sure enough, they asked me if I wanted to jump in on a 3-year-old they had, and it made sense to team up with this one, it being Swift Delivery."

Additionally, Kelce revealed a near-miss at last year's Derby where he almost won $100,000 betting on Forever Young, which nearly secured a top two finish. He commented, "I was a beginner. I didn't get too far into that.

"I just wanted to f------- put the money that I brought in there and throw it down on like one horse and just get f–king pumped if that thing was even close. And sure enough, coming around that corner, you see that thing ... come up."

Proclaiming his newfound passion for the iconic event, he said: "I'm a Derby guy now, man. It was so much fun. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I am definitely going to try and experience again. It was fun just being part of the entire environment."

Kelce also recounted his unexpected meeting with television personality Jimmy Fallon and his dog at the race, noting: "That's how you do it. That's how you make a statement and get everyone to just f------- love you, because the dog was cute as hell. Who would've knew that a dog would've stole the show at the Derby?

"I can't tell you how much I loved just seeing Jimmy. I was literally placing a bet and he just sneaks up right next to me like nothing's going on. It was a surprise, I wasn't expecting it. He was on the f------ move, though, man. That guy's a hard worker, man. It's so impressive, everything that he does."

Meanwhile, the show-stopping tight end is in recovery mode following the Chiefs' Super Bowl defeat back in February.