Jake Delhomme has always had a flair for the unexpected. The underdog gunslinger who led Carolina on 21 game-winning drives during his career has found a new comeback project in retirement. Now, he’s delivering upsets in an entirely different arena with horse racing.
From Undrafted QB to Underdog Champion Trainer
Delhomme, once the unheralded quarterback who took Carolina to Super Bowl XXXVIII, just scored what he calls “the biggest win of our career” in the New Orleans Classic at Fair Grounds. But he wasn’t slinging passes. He was watching his 6-year-old gelding, Touchuponastar, pull off a massive upset in 1:48.10.
Delhomme bought the horse for $15,000. Just for reference, the third-place finisher, Sierra Leone, cost $2.3 million and won last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic. “That’s like me playing against Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk,” Delhomme said—referencing his Panthers’ famous 2003 playoff upset. And just like then, the “undrafted” came out on top, earning a $300,000 prize.
Old Teammates, New Names, Same Fight
Delhomme’s love of racing isn’t new. He’s a longtime breeder and trainer but this latest win has everyone paying attention. His phone lit up with texts from NFL names like Luke Kuechly and GM Brandon Beane.
And there’s more. A 3-year-old filly named Kalil, after former Panthers center Ryan Kalil, just won her race last week. “We named her Kalil for a reason,” Jake said. “She took time to develop—just like Ryan. Now she’s finding her stride.”
Comebacks are nothing new for Delhomme. Whether on the turf or the track, he keeps proving the same truth: it’s not about where you start—it’s about how you finish.
So what’s next for Jake Delhomme and Touchuponastar? Keep one eye on the race course. The comeback king may just have another championship run left in him. This time, it will be wearing silks instead of pads.
