There have been few more successful sporting coaches in history than Sir Alex Ferguson, but his success in sport has far outweighed what he achieved during his time at the helm of Manchester United.
Ferguson’s love for horses has given him a new lease on life since retirement, as he now owns over 30 racehorses across the flat and jumps. His investment in the sport shows no sign of stopping, as the former United boss is only gaining more success with his runners across the world at present.
But how did the famous manager get involved in the sport, and who are some of his most talented runners?
The Moment He Got Hooked
During an interview with Racing TV during Ferguson’s recent trip to Bahrain for the latest international action, the former Man United boss admitted that his admiration for horse racing started at a very young age, as he was aware of the sport from his younger years, as his father was a keen viewer of the sport.
He admitted that he used to study the Timeform book with his dad every Saturday morning before settling in for the afternoon to watch the big races on the television. While Ferguson always admired the sport, he admitted that he wasn’t tempted into the prospect of potentially owning a horse in the 1997-98 Premier League season.
He revealed that it was his wife’s idea to go to a day at the racing while many of his United players were on an international break. Ferguson revealed that this visit to Cheltenham would immediately see him hooked, and he immediately began to look at potential ways to own a runner.
Ferguson’s first investment in the sport came alongside Jack Berry, and he now boasts a strong selection of runners, with 32 sporting the Ferguson and his partner’s colors on track. Perhaps we will never see Sir Alex among the list of Cheltenham or Kentucky Derby winners by TwinSpires, but he has invested a lot of time and money into his passion.
So, who are some of his most famous horses to have competed on a racecourse?
Clan Des Obeaux
One of Ferguson’s most beloved horses in training was Clan Des Obeaux, who was trained by Paul Nicholls. The horse was campaigned very aggressively throughout his career, but he was incredibly consistent on track at the very highest level.
Overall, he landed eleven victories in 31 starts under rules, with his biggest wins being recorded over the biggest obstacles. Clan Des Obeaux would be a regular star at the Aintree Grand National Festival, winning the G1 Betway Bowl Chase in successive years.
He would also be one of the few British raiders to the major Irish festivals in the spring, landing the G1 Punchestown Gold Cup by over a length from Al Boum Photo in 2021. One of his most impressive victories was registered in 2019, beating the talented Cyrname by 21 lengths in the G1 King George VI Chase.
Protektorat
Ferguson has recently achieved success with another excellent chaser in the form of Protektorat. The runner trained by Dan Skelton has landed victories in six from 24 starts under rules, and he continues to be a prominent contender at the highest level.
That was evident in late January, as he finished just two lengths behind Gold Cup runner L’Homme Presse at Linfield. However, he is yet to reach the same heights that he enjoyed in late 2022, which included a stunning victory in the G1 Betfair Chase by eleven lengths at Haydock.
He was Ferguson’s best chance of a Gold Cup winner to date, but he could only finish fifth in the premier race on the calendar at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023. But he could likely be a runner once again for the former United boss at the event in 2024.
Spirit Dancer
As well as achieving victories during the National Hunt season, Ferguson has also achieved landmark wins as an owner of the flat. However, none would have meant more to him than the success of his home-bred seven-year-old Spirit Dancer in Bahrain.
The runner was excellent over the one-mile and two-furlong distance, stretching out the field before finishing over two lengths clear of Israr. Spirit Dancer has been excellent in stakes company throughout his career, winning two from three efforts. He has also won six from 19 efforts on the turf to this point. The runner enjoyed a fine 2023 season, which included picking up three successive victories between July and August. His standout win saw him finish a length clear of El Drama to land the G3 Strensall Stakes at York.
Spirit Dancer gave Ferguson his first big victory on international soil, with his win in the Bahrain Trophy being labeled by the former United boss as his best moment in the sport. The horse will be looking to continue that winning sequence over the coming weeks overseas, beginning in late January when he lines up in the G1 Jebel Hatta at Haydan.
