Russell Wilson's horse, Club Reign, wins racing debut at Saratoga Race Track

Club Reign, a horse co-owned by former NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, won its debut race oSaturday at Saratoga Race Track. The 2-year-old colt won by 6 lengths during the opening race and paid $18.72 after going off as an 8-1 favorite.

"What a blessing, what a huge win," Wilson said afterward . "[Jockey] Edgard [Zayas] rocked it, [trainer] Whit Beckman, our team, Three Brand Racing racing. We're so excited. What a blessing, for sure, to do it here in Saratoga.

"We like winning big moments in New York. We won the Super Bowl here, we win this, it feels like the same feeling. … Club Reign was special."

After 14 years in the NFL with four teams, Wilson recently retired and is joining CBS Sports as a studio analyst this season .

Horse racing has long been an interest for the Super XLVIII winning quarterback. Wilson and his wife, singer Ciara, have been spotted at the Kentucky Derby the past several years.

According to Bloodhorse , Beckman lists Legion Bloodstock as one of his clients and when the group was introduced to Wilson's brother, Harry, who lives in Louisville, Kentucky, at last year's Run for the Roses, that's when the wheels were in motion for the longtime signal-caller to get into thoroughbred ownership.

Wilson and his team purchased a stake in Club Reign for $475,000 in April.

"Obviously," Wilson said , "there's nothing like holding that Lombardi Trophy in front of hundreds and hundreds of millions of people. … To win on Travers Day, to win in Saratoga first race out, it feels like [winning] Rookie of the Year."

Former MLBer Jayson Werth, who co-owns 2024 Belmont Stakes winner Doroch , is another former athlete that has a relationship with Legion.