Brighton & Hove Albion’s Georginio Rutter has named a horse in honour of former club Leeds United, as well as current side Brighton.
The 23-year-old Frenchman left Elland Road last season after Leeds failed to gain promotion back to the Premier League in 2024.
A key member of Leeds’ squad at the time, his departure was keenly felt by the Yorkshire club.
But having lost the playoff final to Southampton, his £40 million release clause was triggered by Brighton last summer.
With Leeds now back in the top flight after achieving promotion at the second time of asking, Rutter is set for a reunion with his former club this weekend.
Brighton host Leeds on Saturday in the Premier League, with the fixture kicking off at 3pm.
🔜 Next up, Brighton! pic.twitter.com/u11joUmDHK
— Leeds United (@LUFC) October 29, 2025
One point separates the two sides at the moment, in a tight mid-table battle.
Despite sitting above the relegation zone, there is still pressure on Leeds coach Daniel Farke.
Former Liverpool and Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers is now favourite to be the next Leeds manager.
But ahead of a game which will have special significance for Rutter, he has paid tribute to both his current and former clubs.
Georginio Rutter Horse Named After English Clubs
Aside from football, former Leeds man Rutter’s biggest passions include horse racing.
The forward owned race horses during his time in Yorkshire, and has continued that hobby since moving to the South Coast.
🐴| Brighton forward Georginio Rutter has one horse running today:
13.25 Redcar – Obito (4/1)#BHAFC pic.twitter.com/raEitIiO7D
— The Brighton Base (@TheBrightonBase) April 21, 2025
Rutter is now the proud owner of a horse called “Brighlee” – named for the two clubs he’s played for in England.
Speaking to Great British Racing, Rutter said: “When I came to England, I see horses everywhere.
I call her ‘Brighlee’ because I was signing for Brighton. So I say ‘Brighlee’ – Brighton, and Leeds, Brighlee.
“So it’s Brighton, Leeds. I care a lot about my horses and she’s doing very great, so I’m happy, but twice [she has finished] second.
“It’s too addictive. It’s hard to win a race. Before, I didn’t know. When you come to horses, you think ‘for sure, I’m going to win one’. But it’s very hard.
When you win one, the emotion, I can’t explain it.”
So far, Brighlee has completed four races, achieving second-placed finished at Kempton and Salisbury.
How Many Horses Does Georginio Rutter Own?
As of October 2025, Georginio Rutter owns six horses, sharing a passion with Brighton owner Tony Bloom.
Rutter told the Brighton website: “I had a horse running today, Bopedro, at Doncaster and it finished second, so I was very happy with that.”
“It was a big meeting, St Leger Day, but I know the most important thing was the football.
“I haven’t spoken to Tony Bloom about horses yet but maybe soon we will do that. I have six horses in training on my own, here and in France as well. And with a syndicate I share.
“When I was young I was with my dad at the racecourse, and I enjoyed it.”
“Then when I came to England I saw a lot of stables including the one of David O’Meara,” continued Rutter.
“I bought one horse, I enjoyed it, then I bought a second and the rest is history. Maybe it was a hobby that got out of hand!
“But it is a passion and I would love to win some trophies in horse racing too.”
Georginio Rutter Career Stats
Born in France, Rutter came through the academy at Vannes before moving to Rennes as a youth player.
He made his professional debut for Rennes in 2020, coming off the bench against Saint Etienne.
Rutter scored five times in 22 senior appearances, after which he joined Hoffenheim in Germany.
He netted a further 11 goals and added eight assists, earning him the move to Leeds United in 2023.
While at Elland Road, he played 66 games for Leeds, scoring eight goals and providing 18 assists.
Now at Brighton, his record is currently eight goals and seven assists in 40 total appearances.
