They were famous long before they became involved in racing but ironically, a number of these 'well known faces' have also been remarkably successful when it comes to trying their hand at a whole new sport/business - that of racehorse ownership. Here are just a few examples:

* Grant Hackett (Olympic swimmer) co-owns the aptly named Freestyle.

* Paul McNamee (ex-Davis Cup player and winner of the Wimbledon doubles championship with fellow Australian Peter McNamara in 1980 and 1982 and chief executive of the Australian Open tennis) part owns El Segundo who won last year's Gr 1 Caulfild Stakes. El Segundo was the first horse McNamee had ever owned.

* Regreagan (2c ex Social Scene by Grand Lodge) made an impressive debut at Randwick last weekend. His part-owners include Australian Rugby League superstar Andrew Johns and his high profile brother Matthew, who sometimes doubles as Footy Show personality Reg Reagan.

* Western Bulldogs AFL club president David Smorgon part-owns Lotteria

* Like his father Sir Frank, whose colours were carried by such good horses as Foresight, Travel Boy and Columnist, Kerry Packer owned or part-owned a number of turf stars. The best may have been dual Derby winner Mahogany, but others included Golden Slipper winner Merlene, Spring Champion Stakes winner Easter and the Biscay horse Christmas Tree. At various stages, those horses too raced in the family colours of green and white hoops, red cap.

* Frank Sedgman (fomer Australian tennis star) part-owned Hareeba.

* Simon Poidevin (fomer Australian rugby star) part-owned Kablammo.

* Broadcasting legend Alan Jones (also the fomer Australian rugby coach, not the formula 1 champion) owns part of Alinghi.

* Sir Alex Ferguson (of Manchester United fame) "owned" part of Rock of Gibraltar.

* Chris Munce (Australian jockey)'s wife owned part of Brave Warrior.

Then of course on a slightly different note, you've Mick Channon, former Southampton and English soccer star, who is now in the top echelon of UK trainers. That's like David Campese turning to horse training and ending up more famous for it than for his rugby. Equally Philip Blacker (well known jumps jockey) went on to become one of the world's most famous equine sculptors when he retired from the saddle.