John Stewart’s meteoric entrance into Thoroughbred possession has been properly documented within the 12 months following his large splash on the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Along with his multitude of high-dollar purchases, each privately and at public sale, he has proven that Resolute Racing is right here to remain, trying to breed and race the perfect.
Nonetheless, Stewart will not be on the journey alone. As a substitute, he’s bringing the racing followers with him on each step of his journey. A fan of the game for 30 years, Stewart has not forgotten that preliminary ardour developed as an outsider that has helped lead to success as soon as he determined to dive in.
“I am simply having enjoyable and I am making an attempt to share that with individuals and provides them the identical expertise,” Stewart mentioned. “It may be intimidating to attempt to get into the game. We’re making an attempt to be extra clear so we will entice extra individuals in.”
Within the bio on the high of his profile on the social media platform X, he states what he believes to be his function within the business: “Thoroughbred racehorse fan and horse participant first! Racehorse proprietor/breeder second.” That stance has pushed Stewart to spend time interacting with followers each on-line and in individual.
“The game is simply too mysterious,” Stewart mentioned. “We have to embrace the followers as a result of the followers are the important thing to the game. With out the horseplayer, horse racing would not exist.”
In April, Stewart introduced Goodnight Olive to Keeneland to be celebrated by her followers earlier than beginning her broodmare profession
Previous to this 12 months’s Keeneland September Yearling Sale, which started Sept. 9, Stewart and Resolute held a VIP Sweepstakes on X that invited 5 fortunate winners to hitch Stewart, Chelsey Stone, Gavin O’Connor, and the remainder of the Resolute group of their preparations.
The winners, who had been chosen via a random generator after following their accounts and reposting the sweepstakes, received to take a seat in on sale planning conferences and yearling inspections on the sale grounds. Moreover, they received to tour the farm and attend Stewart’s personal membership ‘Olives’ in downtown Lexington whereas interacting with Stewart and members of Resolute.
They acquired a full expertise as Stewart got here via on the ring, buying six yearlings Monday for a complete of $3,775,000, together with a $1 million buy of a Maxfield filly.
Extra importantly, they received to see how a lot planning goes into figuring out horses to buy and the way the farm prepares, even earlier than the acquisition, for the yearlings’ arrival.
Though receiving a extra in-depth expertise, the sweepstakes winners weren’t the one followers who received to hitch in on the enjoyable. By means of livestreams on X, Resolute was capable of carry 1000’s of viewers at dwelling into the Keeneland gross sales ring. Along with livestreaming at gross sales, Resolute and Stewart have additionally livestreamed from the paddock of main races just like the Belmont Stakes (G1) and occasions just like the Kentucky Derby (G1) put up place draw.
“The issues that I do which are thrilling, I attempt to suppose instantly let’s livestream,” Stewart mentioned. “What number of followers get to expertise what it is prefer to be in a grade 1 stakes race at Saratoga?”
One among Stewart’s hottest livestreams was after 2021 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) winner Pizza Bianca foaled an Into Mischief filly this spring. Stewart mentioned greater than 3,000 individuals had been watching to see the foal take its first steps.
“When that foal runs (in a race) for the primary time, there are going to be individuals like, ‘I noticed that horse when it first stood up.’ That is fairly cool,” Stewart mentioned.
Resolute has been current on the observe for a lot of of their begins and on the largest race days on the earth over the previous few years. Followers can typically discover them handing out branded hats and different merchandise, a market Stewart believes is underutilized by the racing business. Now, there are Resolute followers sporting their brand in grandstands internationally.
Jockey Dylan Davis wears the Resolute Racing silks aboard Pounce whereas successful the Lake George Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
“It is so superior, we see them all over the place we go now,” Stewart mentioned.
Merchandise will not be the one presence Stewart needs to have within the grandstands. He additionally has hung out negotiating extra entry for followers at racing’s high occasions. For the upcoming Keeneland fall meet, Stewart has had conferences with the observe to rearrange extra area for Resolute followers, since tickets to one among America’s hottest meets are likely to promote out rapidly.
Stewart additionally bought a 150-person-capacity venue at Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships Nov. 1-2, planning to cost a nominal price to offer followers which will get outpriced on regular tickets a possibility to expertise an owner-type expertise for a a lot decrease price. Stewart will present catered food and drinks and well-known jockeys and trainers will make visitor appearances. All proceeds can be donated to Thoroughbred aftercare.
“We’re making an attempt to construct a fanbase, make the sport and the expertise that we as homeowners have accessible to individuals,” Stewart mentioned. “If one new proprietor comes out of the engagement that we do with followers, it is price it.”
