Kentucky Derby 2012: Richest Owners in Horse Racing

Thoroughbred horse racing is the Sport of Kings.

And as such, it's only fit that the world's richest would be interested in owning thoroughbred racing horses.

Just like any other average joe owner, they also want to fulfill dreams of winning the biggest races and experience the thrill and emotion that comes with it.

Having deeper pockets doesn't guarantee they will be able to instantly buy success and win a Triple Crown or a Breeders' Cup race. But at least makes it more accessible.

No matter if they have tons of money at their disposal to hand their trainers and jockeys the best resources for their horses, they are also susceptible to what every other owner is, luck.

Luck is a part of racing as much as money and preparation, and that cannot be bought.

Let's take a look at some of the world's richest that happen to have racing interests in the U.S.A.

Charlotte Colket Weber

Net Worth: $1.2 B (as of March 2012)

Source of Wealth: Campbell Soup

Country of Citizenship: U.S.A.

Forbes.com Rank: 1015 (368 in the US)

Stable: Live Oak Plantation

Her stable's most famous and successful winner has been Miesque’s Approval, winner of the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile at Churchill Downs in 2006.

Her other recent products to call fame, but at a lesser extent, have been Grade I winners High Fly (2005 Florida Derby), To Honor and Serve (2011 Cigar Mile) and Brilliant Speed (2011 Blue Grass).

Gerald J. Ford

Net Worth: $1.7 B (as of March 2012)

Source of Wealth: Banking, self-made

Country of Citizenship: U.S.A.

Forbes.com Rank: 764 (27 in the US)

Stable: Diamond A. Racing Corps

His most known product is Champion Pleasantly Perfect, a winner of $7.8 million, good enough for fourth on the all-time list.

Pleasantly Perfect won the 2003 Breeders' Cup Classic and the 2004 Dubai World Cup. When he went for two-in-a-row at the Breeders' Cup Classic he finished third behind Ghostzapper and Roses in May.

Frank Stronach

Net Worth: $1.2 B (as of March 2012)

Source of Wealth: Auto parts, self-made

Country of Citizenship: Canada

Forbes.com Rank:1015 (22 in Canada)

Stable: Stronach Stables

In addition to his stable, Stronach is the owner of Magna International (North America's biggest auto parts manufacturer) which is the parent company of the Stronach Group, the United States' largest race track operator.

Among the tracks they own are Pimlico (home of the Preakness), Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita.

As for his stable, his most famous product has been Ghostzapper, who in 2004 won the Breeders' Cup Classic, and took the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year, and was named the World's Top Ranked Horse.

Kenny Troutt

Net Worth: $1.2 B (as of March 2012)

Source of Wealth: Excel Communications, self-made

Country of Citizenship: U.S.A.

Forbes.com Rank: 1015 (368 in the US)

Stable: WinStar Farms, LLC 

Troutt along with his partner Bill Casner own WinStar Farm.

In 2010 he saw his dream of a win in the Kentucky Derby with Super Saver and follow it up with a win by Drosselmeyer in the Belmont Stakes.

Drosselmeyer also gave Troutt another milestone as an owner when he won last year's Breeders' Cup Classic in dramatic fashion.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Net Worth: $4.5 B

Source of Wealth: Business, royal family

Country of Citizenship: Dubai

Forbes.com Rank: 232

Stable: Darley Racing and Godolphin Stable

The ruler of Dubai is probably the most recognized face among the richest owners in racing.

His racing operations includes the ownership of Darley Stables and he is the leading partner in his family's Godolphin Stable.

He is also the host of the Dubai World Cup, the world's richest race, from the Meydan racecourse in Dubai. He finally won the race this year with Monterosso.

His biggest product to date has been Bernardini, who in 2006 won the Preakness Stakes and took the US and Co-World Championships for a three-year-old colt.

Bernardini is also one of the hottest and most sought-after studs today.

Alain and Gerard Wertheimer

Net Worth: $7.5 B as of March 2012

Source of Wealth: Chanel

Country of Citizenship: France

Forbes.com Rank: 112 (Fifth in France)

Stable: Wertheimer et Frere

The co-owners of fashion powerhouse Chanel have been known as of late for their champion mare Goldikova. You might already know she is the the only horse ever to win three Breeders’ Cup races (the Mile).

But what you might not know, is that back in 1993, their horse Kotashaan won American Horse of the Year and American Champion Male Turf Horse.

Honorable Mention: Jess Jackson (R.I.P.)

Net Worth: $1.8 B as of September 2010

Source of Wealth: Jackson Family Wines, self-made

Country of Citizenship: U.S.A.

Forbes.com Rank: N.A.

Stable: Stonestreet Stables, LLC

Jackson died on April 21, 2011. In his honor, one of the most respected owners had to be mentioned here.

His Stonestreet Stables still going strong, but his biggest products were Curlin, the all-time top earning racehorse in North America with over $10.5 million winnings, and Rachel Alexandra, the first filly to win the Preakness Stakes in 85 years and 2009 Horse of the Year.

Last Jan. 22 Rachel Alexandra gave birth to a 125-pound colt by Curlin.