Nikola Jokić explains passion for horse racing: ‘Just being around the horses … I think it’s the best sport in the world.’

Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić is a champion once again — this time as a horse owner at a harness racing event in his native Serbia.

The normally stoic Jokić could barely contain his emotions as his horse, Demon Dell’Est, ran away with the victory down the final stretch at the annual Dužijanac event in Subotica, Serbia.

After his horse crossed the finish line, Jokić put his head in his hands in tears while soaking in the moment. He then hopped a fence to celebrate on the track with his team, still visibly overcome with emotion. And in the winner’s circle, Jokić helped lift his driver and sprayed champagne on the group and himself.

Jokić’s passion for horses is well documented. His father Branislav runs a local harness racing club on the outskirts of Sombor, Serbia.

In an AP interview after the Nuggets won the 2023 NBA championship, Branislav Jokić said that although his son has trained hard to reach the NBA, his mind was always set on a love of horses.

“He started growing, both in height and in size, and he started to become aware that he could be a basketball player, but he had a great desire in those days. He would say, ‘Dad, I want to become a horseman.’ And I used to tell him: ‘Son, become a basketball player first, and you’ll become a great horseman later.’”

As it turns out, he can do both at the same time.