Paul Hornung or as the public knows him as “the Golden Boy” was an American professional football halfback and kicker who played for the Green Bay Packers in the NFL from 1957 to 1966.

Many people remember Paul to be a big name in the NFL, after all, you don’t just get the nickname “The Golden Boy” for no reason.

However, what most people don’t realize is that he was also a big horse racing fan. But not like you and me. He was a die-hard fan, constantly attending races, betting on them (we loved it), and he also owned a racehorse.

Now for a professional football player, it is obvious to have dreams about winning the Super Bowl, but since he did that once, he already had a new goal. Being a big horse racing fan, he always wanted to have a horse that competes in the biggest horse racing event in the world – The Kentucky Derby.

Spoiler alert, this dream didn’t come true for him (although he was very close), but at least he experienced what it is like to become a professional racehorse owner.

Let’s dive into his side passion and find out how Paul Hornung was involved in horse racing.

A Passion That Started Early

Most athletes that play professional football come up with new passions in their late-career, and this is quite explainable. After all, you cannot play your entire career in the NFL, it is an aggressive sport that needs young talent. This forces athletes to look for new passions.

Fortunately, Paul had a passion for horse racing, and it wasn’t a late-career hobby. In fact, this was something that he was passionate about since his younger days. But it is normal since we are talking about someone that was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky – the home of the Kentucky Derby, and he was exposed to the sport from an early age.

In Kentucky, people live and breathe horse racing, and Paul was also bitten by that racing bug that gives you a strong addiction to the sport.

Churchill Downs racetrack was practically in his backyard, which is why Hornung frequently attended races (not just the Kentucky Derby), which is where he developed a keen eye for horses, as well as understanding for the racing industry.

Even though most people knew him for his talent on the football field, those close to him knew that horse racing was more than just a pastime activity for him. He also decided to educate himself about the sport, he studied pedigrees, kept up with trainers, and dove deeper into the horse racing industry.

This means that he didn’t just watch the races, he knew them like the back of his hand.

This knowledge leaned him towards a new path in his life – racehorse ownership.

Titletown Five: A Dream in Motion

For many, owning a Kentucky Derby contender is the ultimate dream. Paul Hornung made that dream a reality with Titletown Five, a colt named after his championship-winning Green Bay Packers team. He co-owned the horse alongside Paul Saylor, Wes Welker, and several other sports figures. The name was a tribute to the Packers’ dominance in the NFL during his era, and the horse carried the legacy of his winning spirit.

Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, one of the most successful trainers in horse racing history, Titletown Five showed early promise. He was considered a potential Derby contender, and Hornung was thrilled at the possibility of seeing his horse compete on the grandest stage of them all—the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

The Road to the Derby

Every horse owner dream of reaching the Kentucky Derby, but the journey is never guaranteed. Titletown Five had flashes of brilliance, but the path to the Derby is grueling. Despite high hopes, he didn’t qualify for the Run for the Roses. Instead, he ran in the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown.

To qualify for the Kentucky Derby, you need to collect points from the Kentucky Derby Prep season. You can check here all the prep races: twinspires.com/kentuckyderby/road-to-the-derby/

He didn’t, but this got him a place in the Preakness Stakes.

While he didn’t bring home a victory, Hornung’s excitement and passion for the sport never wavered. Titletown Five finished last, but that’s not what is important.

He knew firsthand that in horse racing, just like in football, not every game—or every race—ends in a win. The thrill is in the competition, the strategy, and the unpredictable nature of the sport. And for him, simply having a horse compete at that level was an accomplishment in itself.

Paul Hornung’s Lasting Legacy in Horse Racing

Paul Hornung passed away in 2020, but his love for horse racing remains a significant part of his legacy. He brought the same competitive fire, intelligence, and passion that made him a football legend into the racing world. He wasn’t just another celebrity dabbling in ownership—he was genuinely committed to the sport.

Even after his passing, Titletown Five remains a symbol of his dedication to racing. While his biggest successes came on the football field, his heart always had room for the track.