Jayson Werth's $500,000 Horse Investment for Icon Racing Stable

The former MLB player's stable secures a top prospect at the Ocala Two-Year-Old Sale

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Jayson Werth, partnering with Legion Bloodstock, has been building the roster for his Icon Racing Stable over the past year. At the recent Ocala Two-Year-Old Sale, the team secured a $500,000 colt by Vekoma, adding to their second draft group called Big Brown. The scouting process involves evaluating a large catalog of horses and staying disciplined in a strong market to land top prospects, similar to recruiting in Major League Baseball.

Why it matters

Werth's investment in Icon Racing Stable reflects the growing popularity and professionalization of Thoroughbred ownership, as former athletes and other high-profile individuals look to get involved in the sport. The record-breaking sale also highlights the strength of the current Thoroughbred market.

The details

At the Ocala Two-Year-Old Sale, 439 horses sold for a gross of $71,815,500, eclipsing the previous record. The average price was up 7.4% from a year ago, and the median was up 7.1%, signaling strength at the top of the market. Werth's team, which includes the inaugural Affirmed draft and the second Big Brown draft, secured the winning bid of $500,000 for a colt by Vekoma, a top sire. The scouting process involves evaluating a large catalog of horses and staying disciplined to land the top prospects.

  • The Ocala Two-Year-Old Sale took place this week.
  • Werth has been scouting major Thoroughbred Sales over the past year while building the roster for Icon Racing Stable.

The players

Jayson Werth

A former Major League Baseball player who is now partnering with Legion Bloodstock to build the roster for his Icon Racing Stable.

Icon Racing Stable

Werth's Thoroughbred racing stable, which currently has two drafts: Affirmed, with 9 horses in training, and Big Brown, with 10 recruits in spring training.

Legion Bloodstock

The bloodstock agency that is partnering with Werth to scout and acquire horses for Icon Racing Stable.

Vekoma

The sire of the $500,000 colt purchased by Icon Racing Stable at the Ocala Two-Year-Old Sale.

Travis Durr Training Center

The training facility where the horses in Icon Racing Stable's Big Brown draft are currently preparing for their 2-year-old campaigns.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Throughout the recruitment process for Big Brown, our team has gauged the market and taken advantage of opportunities when they presented themselves.”

— Jayson Werth (si.com)

“We've got speed and sprint potential. Horses that can go two-turns. Dirt and Turf horses. And a whole lot of horsepower.”

— Jayson Werth (si.com)

What’s next

Icon Racing has already begun assembling its next draft, with the selection process beginning at the first yearling sale of the year in Lexington, Kentucky. Limited investment opportunities remain in the stable.

The takeaway

Jayson Werth's investment in Icon Racing Stable reflects the growing professionalization and popularity of Thoroughbred ownership, as former athletes and other high-profile individuals look to get involved in the sport. The record-breaking Ocala Two-Year-Old Sale also highlights the strength of the current Thoroughbred market.