How MC Hammer Became A Horse Racing Enthusiast

I get that horse racing is a global sport that can get anyone interested, but being a horse racing enthusiast is one thing, and taking the first step and investing in horse racing is a totally different thing.

Over the years, we’ve seen some unique figures that entered the horse racing business world, but none of them is as striking as MC Hammer. We are talking about a musician, performer, and entertainer, born in Stanley Kirk Burrel, who went from topping the rap charts to horse racing. Now that’s a unique story, right? Here is a test, try Googling about rappers interested in horse racing. Yes, there are basically no results, maybe some source suggests Jay Z, but that’s about it.

On the other hand, we have MC Hammer, going against the odds and a big career change as he wants to go full professional with horse racing. Let’s learn more about his story and what made him invest in the horse racing industry.

Who Is MC Hammer?

For those that don’t know, MC Hammer was a big rapper name in the early 90s, you probably don’t know the name, but you definitely know his songs. He is responsible for “Let’s Get It Started” and “U Can’t Touch This” in the 90s, which sold over 10 million copies. Back then, he was everywhere, from Pepsi ads to Super Bowl halftime shows, and MTV. But suddenly he disappeared. Why? Well, you know that with big money comes big responsibility.

During his best time, he was reckless and spent $1.7 million on his mansion, and plenty of more wrong financial decisions, even his stable Oaktown Stable, which got him into $13 million debt and bankruptcy.

When Did The Horse Racing Passion Start?

Well, his passion for horse racing didn’t start with his success in the music industry. In fact, his passion for horse racing goes way back to his younger days, when he and his father Lewis Burrel Sr. went to the Bay Area racetracks.

He grew up in East Oakland, where money was tight and eight siblings shared a cramped apartment, and those trips for him were a rare escape from their everyday life. Lewis, his dad, who was a casual poker player and a warehouse worker, always had a knack for gambling, which is where he introduced young Stanley to horse racing.

Horse racing betting, especially for big events was their tradition and his father loved to place bets on the racetrack. Still to this day, some people physically go to racetracks like Churchill Downs, as they don’t know how to bet on Kentucky Derby online.

Hammer later spoke about those days, calling his father a “classy man” who showed him the ropes. But he never really knew that he would be able to own a horse. Back then, he was only interested in the sport for the excitement and thrills.

How Did He Get Into Horse Racing?

Fast forward to the late ‘80s, and Hammer’s rap career exploded. “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em” hit diamond status in 1990, raking in millions—Forbes pegged his worth at $33 million by ‘91.

With cash flowing, he didn’t just buy cars or bling; he leaned into his roots. His family had always loved the track, and now they could play the game for real. In 1991, the Burrells dove into ownership, claiming a filly for $20,000 at Santa Anita.

He was living the best life, and that’s the way to describe his actions.

That modest start snowballed into Oaktown Stable, named for their Oakland pride, and soon Hammer was bankrolling 19 Thoroughbreds. It was less a calculated move and more a natural leap—why just watch when you can race?

Going Big Into Horse Racing

Hammer didn’t tiptoe into racing—he stormed in, true to his larger-than-life style. By 1991, Oaktown Stable was a force, with top trainers like D. Wayne Lukas and Jerry Hollendorfer in the saddle.

His filly Lite Light stole the show, winning the Kentucky Oaks that year—a four-race streak capped by a seven-length romp in the Coaching Club American Oaks.

Dance Floor, another star, nabbed the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes and hit third in the 1992 Kentucky Derby. Hammer was trackside, rocking suspenders and gold chains, soaking in the wins. He wasn’t just a fan now—he was living the dream, turning childhood outings into owner-circle glory.

On top of that, he was quite successful with the sport, but of course, horse racing is a cruel spot where one mistake can lead to bankruptcy.

The Pull of the Sport

What hooked him? It’s the rush—racing’s a two-minute rollercoaster, like a live rap battle with higher stakes. Hammer’s always been a showman, and the track’s theater—jockeys jostling, horses surging—fit his vibe. It’s also family; his dad and brother Louis Jr. ran the stable’s nuts and bolts, keeping it a Burrell affair.

The Fall and the Love That Lingered

Money troubles hit hard—by 1996, Hammer filed for bankruptcy, with debts topping $13 million. Oaktown Stable folded, the horses sold off as his lavish life unraveled.

Lite Light’s $1.2 million price tag and the stable’s upkeep were part of that spiral, but he never blamed the horses. Years later, he’d call it a labor of love, not a regret—employing 200 folks from Oakland, chasing a passion, not just profit. Even after the fall, his enthusiasm didn’t fade; he’s still spotted at races, chatting up the scene on social media, tied to the sport that shaped his youth.

MC Hammer is definitely an exceptional human being, and his life definitely shows that. He is still a horse racing fan, despite the not-so-happy ending with his beloved Oaktown Stable.