Cricket legend Shane Warne is hoping to bowl the opposition over in another sport - after swapping googlies for saddles.
On the recommendation of a friend, the ex-sportsman has purchased his first racehorse in his native Australia.
Sacred Oath is a three-year-old colt based at the stables of dual Group 1 winning trainer David Vandyke.
Although it is a new venture, Warne who took 708 Test wickets, has been spotted at racing fixtures over the years, including the Melbourne Cup his homeland.
One of the most effective bowlers in history, the 52-year-old's interest was sparked by a conversation with ex-Hawthorn AFL premiership footballer Campbell Brown.
Jarred Magnabosco, spokesperson for the horse's ownership group, revealed how the deal was done.
"I am good mates with Campbell Brown and I was buying a horse in New Zealand and funnily enough Brownie was playing poker with Warney one night,” he told Racenet.
“Brownie told Warney they needed to get into a horse together and believe it or not Warney came into this horse.
“I think this is the first horse Warney ever bought into, although I think he’s got another one which may have raced since."
Sacred Oath was entered in the 2020 Karaka National Yearling Sale and subsequently sold by the Wentwood Grange stud farm.
Its graduates include ten-time winner Little Bridge, the first New Zealand-bred horse to take at Group 1 at Royal Ascot.
Kermadec and Kolding have been other scorers at the highest level for the overseas operation.
More recently, Warne, who managed the 'Rest Of The World' team when they struck at the 2004 Ascot Shergar Cup, was in the crowd during the men's final at the 2022 Australian Open.
Just weeks after Rafael Nadal defeated Daniil Medvedev in a thriller, the Aussie was looking for his own win on the racetrack.
Sacred Oath made his debut over 1350m at Doomben on Wednesday, where he was the original favourite for a maiden handicap.
It looked promising when the newcomer loomed up in the straight, but he was just denied by race-fit rival A Call From Heaven.
The pair had the race to themselves off the home bend and the winner found extra reserves up the far-side rail.
Reports from Sacred Oath's trials were encouraging and Vandyke said if the horse progresses to better races, he hopes Warne will be in the stands to watch.
“It’s great to have high-profile people like Shane Warne in the ownership of horses because it creates more interest in the racing product," he added.
