[
1
Legendary Manchester United supervisor Sir Alex Ferguson was in attendance as his prized horse, Spirit Dancer, triumphed and received the Howden Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Ferguson was in particular person on the King Abdulaziz Racecourse because the horse he bred and co-owned got here out on high and obtained a mega payday of €1.75 million.
The race occurred as Scots favorites United have been being overwhelmed by Fulham at Outdated Trafford.
Objectives from Kelvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi sank the Crimson Devils and handed them their tenth defeat of the marketing campaign.
Nonetheless, it was a day to take pleasure in for Fergie as Spirit Dancer defeated Killer Means and Californication. The horse is educated by Richard Fahey and co-owned by Ferguson, Ged Mason and Peter Dunn.
It's Fergie time in Saudi!!
Spirit Dancer takes on residence powers in G2 Howden Neom Turf Cup #saudicup,
@RichardFahey @OisinOrr pic.twitter.com/V8y6LFNuIA
– Saudi Cup (@thesaudicup) 24 February 2024
Spirit Dancer beforehand received nearly £500,000 from final yr's Group Two Bahrain Worldwide Trophy.
Forward of the occasion, the ex-United supervisor mentioned, “He's been to Bahrain and completed very nicely there and clearly it's a step up in customary, however we've bought a extremely good horse and hopefully we will do nicely.” Can.”
“There actually wasn't lots of racing in it, there wasn't lots of racing in it for a seven-year-old so we at all times suppose that's actually refreshing. “The hospitality (in Saudi Arabia) has been good, the usual of the whole lot has been actually high.”
“I didn't count on it to be this huge, I used to be right here 14 years in the past and it was nothing like at this time.”
After the race, Ferguson celebrated wildly together with his co-owners.
One other celebration within the Center East for Sir Alex Ferguson as Spirit Dancer wins the G2 Neom Turf Cup!!!#saudicup pic.twitter.com/3rUI5wcGL9
– World Horse Racing (@WHR) 24 February 2024
The 82-year-old commented, “We’re 100% residing the dream. His coach Richard (Fahey) mentioned he would have an opportunity however you’ll be able to by no means be too positive in a race like this. That was unbelievable.”
“After the win in Bahrain and coming to this stage and searching on the area – the efficiency of Oisin and the horse was unimaginable. completely unimaginable.”
He mentioned he had been warned that the horse had not raced regularly, however that it had been subjected to lots of train not too long ago in an try to extend its efficiency ranges.
As soon as once more, Ferguson expressed his pleasure and immense happiness at Spirit Dancer's victory.