Russell Wilson appears to have carried his winning mentality from the football field into a new arena.
The former NFL quarterback and his longtime wife, Ciara, have officially stepped into the horse-racing world through Three Brand Racing—and their very first starter wasted no time making an impact. According to The Times-Union, Club Reign captured the opening race on Travers Day at Saratoga Race Course, dominating a field of six other 2-year-old horses with an impressive six-length win.
A pretty remarkable way to kick off their racing journey.
“Man, what an exciting day,” Wilson said after the victory. “We’re so excited for Three Brand Racing and, obviously, Club Reign. What a blessing.”
Wilson explained that the team already saw major potential in Club Reign, who was ridden by Edgard Zayas and trained by Whit Beckman. However, securing an immediate win at Saratoga, especially on one of the biggest days in horse racing, gave the new racing venture an unforgettable start.
“We felt like we had a tremendous athlete in this horse,” Wilson said. “He’s our first one for me and Ciara and our team, our Three Brand Racing team, and to come out here and to win in Saratoga—and he won by a lot. He’s a fast horse.”
Ciara and the couple’s children joined Wilson for the winner’s-circle celebration, a fitting moment since he says Three Brand Racing was created as a family-focused venture from day one.
The racing operation gets its name from Wilson’s 3BRAND apparel company, but his passion for horses began years earlier. Wilson credited his brother Harry, who lives in Louisville, Kentucky—one of the biggest hubs for American thoroughbred racing—for helping fuel his interest in horse ownership. His and Ciara’s 9-year-old daughter Sienna is also passionate about horseback riding.
“We felt like this would be a good thing for the family,” Wilson explained. “No matter what happens, let’s do some cool stuff. I love competing, I love our family competing, and our Three Brand Racing team loves it, too.”
For Wilson, competition has simply shifted into a new arena this summer.
The 10-time Pro Bowler officially retired after 14 NFL seasons, closing out a career that included 46,966 passing yards, 353 touchdowns, and a Super Bowl XLVIII victory with the Seattle Seahawks.
After stints with the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New York Giants, Wilson had another NFL opportunity available this offseason when the New York Jets offered him a backup role behind former Seahawks teammate Geno Smith.
Wilson ultimately turned down the offer and moved into broadcasting instead, making his CBS Sports analyst debut this season as he transitions from playing quarterback every week to discussing the sport he spent more than a decade competing in.
Horse racing, though, seems to be giving Wilson a new way to satisfy his competitive drive.
“There’s nothing like holding that Lombardi Trophy in front of hundreds and hundreds of millions of people,” Wilson said. However, he admitted that experiencing victory as a first-time horse owner brought a different kind of excitement.
“To win on Travers Day, to win in Saratoga first race out, it feels like rookie of the year.”
The moment even came with a familiar phrase.
After helping guide Club Reign to victory, jockey Edgard Zayas approached the former Broncos quarterback and delivered a line Wilson has heard many times before.
“He comes right up to me and goes, ‘Let’s ride,’” Wilson recalled.
Wilson couldn’t help but laugh. “So, that was funny.”
