Sports

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski buys stake in racehorse of same name

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski hasn't been at voluntary off-season practices, and it appears that at least some of the time he's been spending focused on another sport and a different Gronk.

On Wednesday, Gronkowski announced that he bought a stake in a racehorse bearing his name.

"This horse is a winner and I love a winner," Gronkowski (the person) told the GronkNation blog. "When I heard about the racehorse being named after me, I started watching and got really stoked when he started winning. He's won his last three races and is now headed to the Derby. I'm all in: Welcome to the Gronk Family, Gronkowski the Horse!"

For several years the Patriots star has been outward about his interest in horse racing. In 2015, he attended the Kentucky Derby with teammates Tom Brady and Wes Welker.

This year's Kentucky Derby is set to take place May 5, and Gronkowski (the horse) has qualified to participate.

The 3-year-old colt, named Gronkowski, won the Burradon Stakes in England last month, qualifying the thoroughbred for the Run for the Roses.

"It sounds strange, but I haven't yet seen on the racetrack what I believe this horse is capable of. I'm sure there's more to come," trainer Jeremy Noseda told At The Races after the horse's victory.

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