Sir Alex Ferguson, renowned for his legendary football management career, is making waves in the horse racing world.
Known for leading Manchester United to countless victories, Ferguson is now aiming for success at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival.
The event, held annually in Gloucestershire, England, is famous for its challenging races and attracts top-tier horses and trainers. In 2024, Ferguson celebrated victories with Monmiral in the Pertemps Final and Protektorat in the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase. This year, the former Manchester United boss hopes to repeat that success with the same horses and a new contender, L’Eau du Sud, in the My Pension Expert Arkle Chase.
Ferguson’s journey in horse racing hasn’t always been smooth. A high-profile dispute with Coolmore owner John Magnier over the racehorse Rock Of Gibraltar in 2003 caused headlines. Ferguson claimed he was entitled to a share of the horse’s stud earnings, leading to legal action. The conflict was eventually resolved out of court.
In recent years, Ferguson’s partnership with trainer Paul Nicholls and fellow owner Ged Mason has brought better fortune. Their horse, Spirit Dancer, has dominated the Middle Eastern racing scene, earning over £2 million, with wins in the Bahrain International Trophy and Saudi Arabia’s Neom Cup.
At this year’s Cheltenham Festival, Ferguson’s team is strengthened by additional talent, including Hitman, Il Ridoto, and Kalif Du Berlais. However, the celebrations will be tinged with sadness following the recent passing of John Hales, a key figure in National Hunt racing and co-owner of Protektorat.
With Ferguson’s winning mentality and the right team behind him, the stage is set for another successful outing at Cheltenham.