Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg's interest in horses does not stop at the movie set. He co-owned racehorse Atswhatimtalkingabout, which came fourth in the 2003 Kentucky Derby. He is also an investor in Biscuit Stables, the Delaware-based race trainers.
Actor and director Kevin Costner, right, part-owns a number of racehorses which mainly run at Hollywood Park in California. He also supported the industry by voicing a documentary called "Laffit: All About Winning," celebrating the life and career of one of horseracing's most decorated jockeys, Laffit Pincay.
Songwriter Burt Bacharach, left, has owned horses since 1980 and has seen them run in the Dubai World Cup and the Breeder's Cup. He has had notable successes with three horses over a near 30-year ownership period: Soul of the Matter, Afternoon Deelites and Heartlight No. 1.
Soccer icon Alex Ferguson is a renowned owner of racehorses. Seen here with latest runner Forgotten Hero, the Manchester United manager was involved in a legal battle with Coolmore stud owner (and then major United shareholder) John Magnier about the stud fees of 2002 European Horse of the Year Rock of Gibraltar.
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney initially bought three horses -- Pippy, Tomway and Switcharooney -- but it was Yourartisonfire who provided his first win at English course Haydock Park on July 5.
Racehorses are a popular subject in the Old Trafford dressing room, with former Manchester United striker Michael Owen also taking a big interest. He co-owns Manor House Stables -- the Cheshire-based racehorse trainers, as well as being the owner of a few horses himself.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth is a renowned racehorse owner, with her first victory coming in her Coronation year of 1953 when Choir Boy won at Ascot. She is pictured here collecting the Queen's Vase after her horse Estimate triumphed at Royal Ascot this year -- her 21st win at the prestigious meeting.
As owner of the prolific Godolphin stables, United Arab Emirates ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has seen his racing unit secure nearly 200 Group 1 victories around the world every year -- creating an annual prize fund of $16.8 million. Godolphin has stables in Dubai, Ireland and the UK.
American TV cook and celebrity restauranteur Bobby Flay is leading a new generation of celebrity into the racehorse business. He struck lucky on his first run, with Mrs. Kipling winning on her debut in 2009. Since then his horses have finished in the top three 16 times in 36 outings.
Eddie Jordan (right) is no stranger to horsepower, having owned the Jordan Formula One team. The Irishman owns a number of horses in training with the Michael "Mouse" Morris stable in County Tipperary.
Pop icon MC Hammer, or Stanley Kirk Burrell on his passport, invested in and created his own Oaktown Stables. Hammer owned 19 racehorses at one stage, including the multiple Grade 1 stakes winner Lite Light and the aptly named Dance Floor -- which was third at the 1992 Kentucky Derby.
Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood runs Sandymount Stud in Ireland. He has also raced his own horses, including Sandymount Earl -- a gelding which won three times in three months at The Curragh, home of the Irish Derby.
(CNN) -- As more and more celebrities sign up for a day at the races, a growing list are taking their passion for the sport one step further and becoming racehorse owners.
From Hollywood directors such as Steven Spielberg to English Premier League soccer stars like Wayne Rooney, the lure of playing a bigger part in race day has led to many putting money into the development of one particular horse or even into the breeding of a whole group.
Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood has a stud farm in the Republic of Ireland and even 1990s pop icon MC Hammer has been the proud owner of a Kentucky Derby entrant.
Royalty dominates the list of celebrity successes on the track, with the United Arab Emirates-based Godolphin stable owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum turning out 200 winners a year, netting nearly $17 million in prize funds.
And while other celebrity owners are not as prolific in the winning stakes, many do see it as a future business and a serious investment of their time and money.
English soccer player Michael Owen is already co-owner in a stable which has trained many UK race winners -- including those owned by his former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney. United's manager Alex Ferguson is also a racehorse owner.
A former top-flight English footballer, Mick Channon, is now more renowned for training horses than he is for his achievements in a Southampton and England football shirt.
Take a look at the gallery above to learn more about horse racing's celebrity owners.
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