Pat Robertson will divest himself of horse racing interests following criticism from supporters who questioned the religious broadcaster’s involvement in a sport that promotes gambling.
“I am sorry that my fondness for the performance of equine athletes has caused you an offense,” he wrote in a reply sent to supporters of his ministries at the 700 Club and the Christian Broadcasting Network.
Robertson, who owns a two-year-old colt named “Mr. Pat” came under fire following a report in The New York Times. The report outlines financial involvement in horse racing- to the tune of more than $500,000.
Robertson told the New York Times, “I don’t bet, and I don’t gamble. I just enjoy watching horses running and performing.” He said he has been an enthusiast of horses all of his life. In 1997 he purchased a few thoroughbred horses, including one that went on to win a total of $236,275 in racing at regional mid- Atlantic racetracks. At that time the horses ran under the name Tega Stable, and Robertson was able to keep his involvement out of the press.
With the purchase of Mr. Pat, Robertson had upped the stakes of his hobby, apparently eyeing more important races. Robertson also seemed less intent on veiling his involvement in an activity he has in the past condemned.
He admitted the relationship between gambling and horse racing, telling the Times, “I wish horse racing was not supported by gambling.” Robertson contends that he was only interested in the competition among horses and not gambling.
“I like to look at them as performers and to study their bloodlines. That’s what I find interesting.”
In the letter, the broadcaster told supporters that he used to race horses as a child and said “none of this brought any sense of embarrassment to me because I felt then, and feel now, there is nothing wrong with contests of skill, either between human athletes or equine athletes.”
“He wants to be above reproach, so he’ll do whatever he has to do,” Angell Watts, spokeswoman for the Christian Broadcasting Network in Virginia Beach told the Associated Press.
(BP,EP)
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