Millionaire who started on Toyota factory floor pledges to build replica of Ascot racecourse on his 800-acre farm

A MILLIONAIRE racehorse owner who started off earning £7.50 on the night shift in a Toyota factory has pledged to build a replica of Ascot in his 800-acre Kentucky estate.

John Stewart may have only been in horse racing for two years, but he's made a name for himself.

1

He made a mighty splash in the racing world when he arrived all guns blazing at the Kentucky sales last autumn and emptied £20million out of his pockets.

He continued to spend big across the world, adding to his Resolute Racing operation, which owns the Ascot King George winner Goliath.

And if his rags-to-riches tale is anything to go by, he's a man that knows how to get what he wants.

He started off on the factory floor at Toyota, but before long he was running the whole Toyota in Britain.

Read more in horse racing

TEMPLEGATE'S TIPS

My NAP is well-handicapped and will relish the longer trip at Ffos Las

'ED OFF

Chamberlin 'wanted Match Of The Day job' after 'tearful' day at Cheltenham

Then he moved to New York and has since made millions in private equity.

Now he's set his sights on a Royal Ascot winner, and he's not stopping at much until he gets one.

Last June he had three 'also-rans' and, apparently traumatised by the experience, has taken drastic measures to mitigate against a repeat.

These include building a replica of the straight at Royal Ascot on the 800-acre Kentucky farm he bought from Shadwell.

Most read in Horse Racing

QUIZ MASTERS

Think you're a racing anorak? Then prove it with Sun Racing's Christmas quiz

GIDDY UP!

Free bets, bonuses and offers from our partners for feast of Boxing Day racing

KING'S CROWN

King George VI Chase DECLARED runners & riders plus a tip for Boxing Day bash

IT'S ON

Willie Mullins does Nicky Henderson dirty and declares Lossiemouth vs Con Hill

He told the Racing Post: "The big difference between Britain and America is that we're not used to running on a track that's not flat.

"Some of the horses that have been brought over for Ascot have done great until the hill so I'm building a replica of Ascot on my farm.

"That'll be a turf gallop which will be exactly the same as the full straight stretch so we're used to it.

THE SUN RACING MEMBERS ENCLOSURE

The only place to get Templegate's tips first - and at the best prices - is by joining Sun Racing's brilliant Members Enclosure.

Sign up now for just £1* to be part of racing's best winning team and get...

• Four free racing tickets, four times a year - worth £300
• Templegate’s daily tips at the BEST prices before anyone else
• Tomorrow’s copy of The Favourite at 9pm today
• Exclusive insights from top trainer Ben Pauling
• VIP competitions from Racing Breaks each month
• New customer offer with Coral

Become a member today for just £1*

*For the first month then £3 per month thereafter.

SIGN UP NOW

18+ Ts and Cs apply. First month membership £1, then £3 per month unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. For more information contact [email protected]

"The whole purpose is to build a training centre and it's also got undersoil heated turf, like you get in lots of sports grounds, so we can use it all-year round. That's how serious I am about winning those races.

"I've already told all of my trainers that Ascot is on the radar, it's somewhere I want to win. Britain is definitely a place I want to compete, I'd love to win the Derby, I love those historic races.

"I'm 100 per cent going to win at Ascot though, I've got 53 yearlings that'll be two-year-olds in January."

Stewart added: "I'm good friends with the Coolmore team, I'm taking them to the Superbowl, but I want to beat them. They've dominated racing on three continents and it's inspired me to build something significant as well."

And it's not just the UK he's focussing on. The mighty Goliath is running in the £5.14m Japan Cup.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

DEADLY CRASH

Tragedy as dad-of-two killed in 'hit and run' crash while walking his dog

HARD OUT HERE

All the signs Lily Allen's marriage to David Harbour was over

Except it's not David and a slingshot he'll be coming up against. It's Aidan O'Brien's Auguste Rhodin.  

But Steward, undeterred by the Ballydoyle threat, said: "I'm real excited for this weekend, I think he's going to have a dominant performance. We've brought him here to win the Japan Cup."

FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chases their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – 
• Gamble Aware – 

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.