For a significant number of individuals involved in basketball, securing a championship in the NBA represents the culmination of their aspirations. However, for Nikola Jokić, who has been recognized as the MVP three times, the paramount achievement might be found in the winner’s enclosure at the racetrack.
Jokić’s enthusiasm for the sport of horse racing has been widely acknowledged, and further evidence of this passion was observed on the past Sunday. While present in his native country of Serbia, Jokić witnessed one of his horses achieve victory, an event that evoked a powerful emotional response from him.
Jokić is generally perceived to maintain a composed and collected presence on the basketball court. However, his involvement with horse racing unveils a more vulnerable aspect of the Denver Nuggets’ prominent figure and three-time MVP. Jokić was seen shedding tears as he entered the track to partake in the celebrations alongside the jockey and his victorious horse.
Although basketball may serve as Jokić’s primary source of income (and contributes significantly to his collection of accolades), it is evident that horse racing occupies a position of considerable importance in his life. In the aftermath of the Nuggets’ triumph in the 2023 NBA championship, Jokić’s father, Branislav, conveyed to the Associated Press that he had to actively encourage Nikola to prioritize basketball over his inclination towards horse racing.
“And I made it a point to advise him: ‘My son, initially establish yourself as a proficient basketball player, and subsequently, you can evolve into a distinguished equestrian,'” Branislav Jokić stated.
Throughout the years, Jokić has discovered avenues to integrate these two areas of interest in various forms. In 2023, Jokić extended an invitation to his Nuggets teammate, Aaron Gordon, to visit Serbia for the purpose of observing some horse races held in his hometown of Sombor.
In the latter part of that same year, during a period when the Nuggets were engaged in a series of away games in New York, Jokić capitalized on the opportunity to pay a visit to the Yonkers Raceway, where he had the chance to interact with several of the horses.
