Rapper and producer DeJay, born Dexter Everald Anthony Edmund, is combining his two passions—music and horse racing—to fund a stable of champions. The 38-year-old, who was inspired after visiting Ngong racecourse in Nairobi, Kenya, hopes his latest track, Ten Bagz, will provide the funds to buy a top thoroughbred.
At Tattersalls Sales
DeJay attended Tattersalls' thoroughbred sales in Newmarket, mingling with world leaders, billionaires, jockeys, and trainers. Among the 1,800 yearlings up for auction were offspring of champions like Frankel and Galileo. He watched as UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum bought a chestnut colt for £1.8m, one of 25 horses purchased for Godolphin for £28m in 72 hours.
DeJay admitted he is still learning the tricks of the trade from experts like the Sheikh. "I'm not trying to steal any information. I'm trying to learn some information off the guys who have been doing it a long time," he said.
From Music to Horses
The Bristol-born star, who lived in America for 14 years, was a session bass player and now runs his own record label. He got hooked on racing during a business trip to Kenya, describing the experience as life-changing. "It was like Goodwood with palm trees," he recalled.
DeJay has worked in stables at Newmarket and studied at the National Stud to learn about bloodstock and pedigrees. "I'm a horseman first," he said, adding that racing is a broad community that transcends cultures.
Racing's Growing Appeal
DeJay believes racing is rocketing in popularity among young audiences, thanks to student race days and club-style events at major meetings like the Grand National. He sees the climate as right to combine his loves.
He acknowledged the gamble of buying an un-raced horse but noted the potential rewards, from prize money to stud fees. "You are going in blind," he said, looking for athletic ability in the horses' walk.
DeJay's tune Ten Bagz is about raising money to buy horses. "I have written a tune for the experience," he said. "It's really about, 'let's just get some money so we can buy some horses'."
