One of the most memorable days in the life of many Manchester United fans was May 8, 2013 it was announced that Sir Alex Ferguson would be retiring at the end of the season.
It marked the end of one of the most successful careers in coaching in any sport, with United not having won a league title since. Most United fans will be able to tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news, but many of his former players will remember it as a day at the races.
Ferguson had been expected to be in attendance alongside his players, led by Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Robin van Persie at Chester Racecourse for the day with a horse owned by the legendary Scotsman, Butterfly McQueen, going in the 3:50. However, with the media interest that day Ferguson gave it a miss.
ALSO READ: Erik ten Hag explains what he is telling Wout Weghorst
United had already won the league title, and Ferguson was known to be a keen advocate of the sport by that stage, and as an owner of multiple horses it was understandable he allowed his players the chance to enjoy a day out. However, as revealed by former player Gary Pallister, this was not always the case for the ex-United boss.
Pallister was speaking to Cheltenham Racing and revealed the consequences of a trip to Cheltenham for United players in the 1990s before Ferguson gained an interest in the sport. He said: “My favourite memories of Fergie and horse racing is that if he found out you’ve been to Cheltenham Festival, he'd drop you!
“He wasn’t into Cheltenham racing then. He didn’t play golf and he didn’t like horse racing. Now he loves his golf and his horse racing and owns horses.
“Back in the day, he wasn't OK with the lads going off for a day at the races, but that’s all changed and he’s obviously been involved for quite a while now with his good friends from Manchester and had some good success there.”
Ferguson first rose to prominence with the ownership of Queensland Star, with the racehorse purchased for trainer Jack Berry winning on his first outing in 1998. It is a venture, which Ferguson credited as being as part of the reason behind success at United in the late 90s and beyond.
Speaking about his time in ownership in the early days, he credited the pursuit with being a source of peace in his life in an increasingly stressful job in charge of the biggest football club in the world at the time. Ferguson told the Yorkshire Post "No-one can get hold of you, mobiles phones are off, you are out in the fresh air. No-one can bother you. Perfect."
Another former player, Dwight Yorke, who was part of the 1998/99 treble winning team described Ferguson's love of a sport which took him out of his comfort zone, speaking to Cheltenham Betting, he said: "I have been to Cheltenham Festival a few times. Sir Alex Ferguson was always keen on it though, it was about the only time you'd see him outside his comfort zone and it was something he'd get excited for.
"It's no secret he loves the sport, he has a few horses himself, and it's a sport close to his heart. You could tell because he always had his phone in his jacket, the phone would go off and he would go on it."
However, the sport did become a source of stress in Ferguson's life in 2003, launching legal action against then major United shareholder John Magnier over stud fees regarding a horse they owned, Rock of Gibraltar. Ferguson was counter-sued before the case was settled outside of court in what remains one of the biggest controversies of his time at the club.
Despite the legal issues, Rock of Gibraltar remains one of Ferguson's greatest purchases, with classic wins in the 2000 Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes to show for what was a stellar career.
Recent years have seen yet more greatness, with the Paul Nicholls trained Clan Des Obeaux winning the historic King George VI Chase at Kempton twice in 2018 and 2019 before further wins in the Betway Bowl at Aintree and the Punchestown Gold Cup.
This year, Ferguson will be just as interested an owner as ever, with Protektorat currently a 14/1 shot to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup having finished third in last year's race. The French bred horse gave Ferguson what he described as his 'best day in racing', being part of three wins for him in one famous day at Aintree alongside Monmiral and Clan Des Obeaux to complete a famous treble.
Also this year at Cheltenham, Ferguson will have Hermes Allen in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, with the 5/2 favourite unbeaten in his last three races. This is in addition to Hitman, who is who is currently rated at 22/1 for the Ryanair Chase, which is the feature race of St Patrick's Thursday.
A treble bet for all three horses to win is currently, 1200/1, but with a treble still on the cards for United this season and with Ferguson's treble winning pedigree anything could be possible at the Greatest Show on Turf.
READ NEXT
