The Red Devils & Racing.
Newsletter #7
George talks…
BBT Digest
Here are three points on the business of horse racing, bloodstock and sports that I found interesting reading this week.
The Greatest Gambler Ever Dies.
How it Feels to Breeze a Horse.
The USA team ready to take on Royal Ascot.
Thomas talks….People in Racing.
Name: Sir Alex Ferguson
Age: 79
Occupation: Retired Football manager of Manchester United.
Net worth: £70million
26 years with the famous reds of Manchester hauling 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups and two Champions League titles, enough to keep any man well occupied and satisfied? Not Fergie.
Horse: What a Friend
Sire: Alflora
Form: Won Gr1 Lexus Chase & Gr1 Betfred Bowl chase
Entries: Retired 2013
Earnings: £301,000
Striking up a relationship with renowned Champion Jumps trainer Paul Nicholls, Sir Alex tasted success early doors which led to the exponential growth of his ‘racing bug’.
Horse: Clan des Obeaux
Sire: Kapgarde
Form: Won Gr1 Puchestown Gold Cup & Gr1 Betfred Bowl (2021)
Entries: Cheltenham Gold Cup 2022
Earnings: £830,000
While most of his horses raced over jumps, he was ‘gifted’ a share in Giants Causeway by an at the time part owner of Fergie’s football club, Coolmore maestro John Magnier. The horse soared in value after multiple Group 1 victories and thus led Fergie to believe a pot of gold awaited. However Magnier disagreed causing a dispute and led Magnier to pay out a sum of £2.5 million to Sir Alex. https://www.goal.com/en-ph/news/how-a-racehorse-helped-the-glazer-family-take-control-of-man/15kf9x1h3xy8a1gakygb2unhd6
Charlie talks…
With Epsom on the horizon a noticeable drop in the quality of racing this weekend. The main domestic group action comes from Haydock Park with The John of Gaunt stakes being the main feature.
Bounce The Blues is chasing a breakthrough win at group level and this race looks to be a good spot for her. Conditions will be in her favour and with race fitness on her side she can go close to achieving some extra blacktype for her page.
At the time of writing there are 8 fillies and mares entered in the proceeding Fillies and Mares Group 3 race.
This looks a more open contest and conditions again I'm sure will have an effect on the final line up for this contest. Salsada for one of the most underrated sires at stud Mukhadram looks to improve on her 1st run at listed level at the end of last season. On that occasion she performed with credit and finished close to fillies rated much higher than her.She will need to improve further here to get involved but as a lightly raced 4 yr old there is every chance she can do so and go close here.
Away from the group action Alpine Stroll looks an interesting entry in the Chester Bet handicap on Saturday. This son of Nathaniel has shaped nicely on a few occasions and was unfortunate to run into a horse who was well ahead of his mark the last day in Surrey Gold. This race hasn't many other 3 yr old's entered and the older horses have an exposed look to them. If repeating or improving slightly on his performances Alpine Stroll should be well suited to this test having also shown a liking for this track last year.
Horses to Follow:
Alpine Stroll - Chester Saturday 29th May.