Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has broken his own world record with the purchase of a racehorse for £660,000.
The legendary coach was in charge of United for 27 years between 1986 and 2013, winning 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues and five FA Cups.
He is widely regarded as one of if not the best managers in football history and was vital to turning around United’s fortunes, after spending years in the wilderness following Sir Matt Busby’s departure from the club for a second time in 1971.
During his time as a coach, Ferguson developed a passion for horse racing and was embroiled in an ugly row with former United stakeholders JP McManus over income related to the horse Rock of Gibraltar’s breeding rights.
The row has gone down in infamy with United fans as it sparked McManus’ departure from United and created the circumstances for the Glazer family’s unpopular takeover of the club in 2005.
Since retirement from football management he has got further and further involved in the horse racing world and The Sun report that he “has smashed his own world-record – with the eye-popping £660,000 purchase of an unbeaten horse who could be racing’s next superstar.”
“The Manchester United legend and a group of close pals were the bidders for Regent’s Stroll at the Goffs sale in Doncaster” yesterday.
The five year old horse has had quite a successful career so far winning at Ascot bumper last November “before thrashing rivals in a Newbury bumper when last seen in March.”
The 82 year old had already set the world record when he bought the jumps horse, Caldwell Potter, earlier this year for £633,000.
Sir Alex is clearly not only a winning machine in football but he has also had his fair share of impressive victories in the horse racing world.
He won £1.5 million alongside two friends when his horse Flat horse Spirit Dancer won in November and February.
Commenting on the victory Ferguson said, “we are living the dream, 100%. His trainer Richard [Fahey] said he would have a chance but you can never be too confident in a race like this. It was fantastic.”
