Some things just don’t add up for the Joker, right? I mean, he is one of the best NBA players ever, constantly winning MVPs, and casually scoring points from the other side of the court. And the moment he enters the press-conference room, his mood is like he is forced to play basketball, and his horses make him happier.
Weird, right? So, what’s the deal with Nikola Jokic and his horses? Why is he such a big equestrian enthusiast? Are horse racing events big in Serbia, where he grew up? Let’s find out more.
A Childhood Love for Horses
Well, any equestrian journey starts at a young age. Jokić’s equestrian story goes back in Sombor, Serbia, where horses were a big part of the scenery long before basketball took over. He grew up drawn to the beauty and elegance of horses, and by age 13, he was already skipping basketball practice to hang out at local racetracks and stables.
“I was going to horse races instead of training,” he said, which makes us wonder how close we came to losing an NBA legend to the stables. Fortunately, horse racing in Serbia is not that big, which means that there is no money in the process, or at least not as much as NBA contracts.
But his equestrian passion comes from his family. His father is also a big equestrian fan, and he has been buying and racing horses for quite a while. Nowadays, they have a big horse stable and many horses that they train for the races.
There was one iconic moment where Nikola Jokić rushed to Serbia, after less than a week after leading the Denver Nuggets to their first NBA championship, just to watch a horse race. So, this speaks a lot about his horse racing passion, and clearly, playing basketball is more of a job for
From Fan to Owner: Building a Stable
So, you love horses and all the equine magic that comes from it. Then you get into the NBA with million-dollar contracts…what do you do?
Of course, invest a portion of that money in your passion, which is what Jokić did. In 2016, he bought his first racehorse and named him Dream Catcher. This was a time shortly after he signed the contract with the Nuggets.
Today, he owns over half a dozen horses, with state-of-the-art stables in Serbia, and he managed to stick to his roots and bring back new investments in his old town, Sombor.
He is not a Thoroughbred horse breeder or anything like that. His horses mainly participate in local harness races or nearby races in Europe. We assume that he doesn’t have much time to enter the elite world of horse racing, but that is going to come soon.
Who knows, maybe we will see Jokić’s horse enter the Kentucky Derby. If he is this good playing basketball with a fraction of the passion, can you imagine what he would do in the world of horse racing?
If this happens in the future, and you are into betting on horse racing, Jokić should be the owner to watch.
Why Horses?
Jokić’s love for horses goes deeper than trophies or racetracks—it’s emotional. He’s said the sound of horses eating is “the best sound in the world,” a quirky detail that shows his genuine bond.
He views horses as individuals, each with a unique character, and working with them lets him “disconnect from everything,”. This zen-like focus mirrors his calm on the court, where he’s nicknamed “The Joker” for his playful dominance.
Horses ground him, offering a retreat from NBA pressures. In a 2022 interview, he shared dreams of retiring to Serbia as a trotting coach, highlighting how horses might outrank basketball in his heart. Visits to racetracks, like in Philadelphia with harness racing legend Tim Tetrick, fuel his passion. For Jokić, horses are family, not just a pastime, keeping him balanced in a high-stakes world.
What’s Next for Jokić’s Equestrian Journey?
In 2025, Jokić’s equestrian passion shows no signs of slowing. With his stable expanding, he’s eyeing more races in Serbia and beyond.
His horses, like Brenno Laumar, are racking up wins, and Jokić’s hands-on training could make his stable a European contender. Brenno Laumar is his new start after his popular “Dream Catcher” retired with an impressive record.
Long-term, he’s hinted at a post-NBA life as a full-time trotting coach, a dream that feels closer as he nears 30.
In Sombor, his racetrack visits draw thousands, turning local races into events. Some sources suggest he’s mentoring young riders, passing on his love for horses. While basketball pays the bills—three MVPs and a 2023 title—horses feed his soul. Jokić’s journey proves you can dominate one arena while galloping toward another, inspiring fans to chase their own offbeat passions.
At the moment, he is in his basketball prime, but in the future we expect a lot of great things for him in the horse racing industry.
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