There have been rumors linking Taylor Swift and boyfriend Travis Kelce to the horse The Puma at the Kentucky Derby. Unfortunately, the Kansas City Chiefs favorite power couple will not be able to see this horse compete at Churchill Downs.
The Puma is a late scratch the Kentucky Derby announced just hours before the scheduled race.
“We discovered some swelling in his leg due to a skin infection,” Gustavo Delgado told Kentucky Derby’s Kevin Kerstein on May 2, following the announcement. “It’s incredibly disappointing but the swelling should go down within a day or two. It’s just really bad timing.”
Here’s what you need to know about Puma and the horse’s rumored connection to Swift and Kelce.
Does Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Own a Horse at the Kentucky Derby?
The rumors of Swift and Kelce’s connection to The Puma started to heat up after a cryptic social media post by co-owner Michael Lavarone. Neither Swift or Kelce have officially confirmed the rumors.
“OK people. Everyone asking me if Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are partners on The Puma… all I can say is I signed an NDA, so I can’t confirm or deny,” Lavarone posted on an Instagram Story ahead of the Kentucky Derby, per Page Six.
Taylor Swift Rumors Pushed The Puma’s Kentucky Derby Odds
Fox Sports’ Chris Fallica discussed the Swift rumors from a Kentucky Derby betting perspective. Prior to news of The Puma’s late scratch, Fallica explained why he was fading the horse’s chances at the Kentucky Derby.
“Rumors of this Taylor Swift, Travis Kelsey wager or investment in The Puma,” Fallica noted in an April 29, edition of the “Bear Bets” podcast. “The Puma’s odds have crashed in the early wagering six to one.
“I think this is one of the classic handicapper versus bettor type struggles. Look at the horse on paper and you’re like, the horse won at Tampa. The horse was in a blanket finish in the Florida Derby. The horse figures on paper, but the price probably just isn’t fair,” Fallica added
“It’s a hard sell for me. If I’m getting six, seven to one on a horse that was 10, 11, 12 to one in the morning line (opening odds).”
Back in 2024, Travis Kelce Bought a Stake in the Horse Named Swift Delivery
We do know that Kelce has an affinity for horse racing. Back in 2024, Kelce bought a stake in the horse aptly named Swift Delivery.
“Kelce bought an ownership stake in a horse named Swift Delivery in August 2024 along with the Zoldan family,” USA Today’s Mark Giannotto detailed in a May 1, article titled, “Do Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce own a horse in 2026 Kentucky Derby?” “Phantom Fireworks founder Bruce Zoldan also bought a stake in The Puma last month, according to Bloodhorse.
“The Kansas City Star reported Kelce is friends with Zoldan’s son, Alex, and attended the 2024 Kentucky Derby with him.”
It remains to be seen if Kelce or Swift will attend the Kentucky Derby, especially with their rumored horse now out of the race.
Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Dealt Unfortunate News at Kentucky Derby