SIR ALEX FERGUSON hailed his 'best ever' sporting achievement after landing a £500,000 winner with a horse he bred and runs in the Man Utd colours.
Spirit Dancer demolished the Bahrain International Trophy field to scoop the whopping payday.
Speaking after seeing his 14-1 outsider thrash the field, Sir Alex was asked where it ranked in his sporting achievements.
And the legendary Old Trafford boss said: "The best ever!
"It was fantastic. I can't believe it.
"Trainer Richard Fahey said the jockey will decide in the race, he'll be all right.
"I was terrified seeing all these top horses, Godolphin had five! But that was great. I'm so proud."
Spirit Dancer was travelling well towards the rear of the field then flew down the outside after they rounded the home bend.
And the six-year-old – who Sir Alex bred at his Upperwood Farm Stud in Hemel Hempstead – was not for catching down the straight.
Victory in the Group 2 contest in Bahrain gave Sir Alex one of the biggest paydays in the Flat racing calendar.
Most read in Horse Racing
SELFLESS
McCoy in 3am dash to get Graham Lee’s daughter to his bedside after jockey’s fall
SAM THE MAN
Mental scars of awful helicopter crash finally healing for trainer Sam Thomas
MATT CHAPMAN
Gordon Elliott’s Cheltenham Festival hero will be perfectly wound-up for this
FIVER FLUTTER
This 18-1 Cheltenham runner poses a huge threat now back with her old trainer
He'll share the mega pot with the horse's co-owners Ged Mason and Fred Done.
Spirit Dancer – whose jockey wears a red top just like his former United players – turned into a superstar with a hat-trick of wins this summer.
But he still had a lot to find in this red-hot field which featured horses trained by the likes of Aidan O'Brien, Charlie Appleby and John Gosden.
Spirit Dancer had already won £240,000 in his career.
But, under jockey Oisin Orr, he took those earnings rocketing to near £750,000 with his spine-tingling victory.
And it could get even better later this month for Sir Alex.
His superstar chaser Proktektorat is red-hot favourite to win the star-studded Betfair Chase at Haydock next Saturday.
Should the eight-year-old defend his title then that win will be worth just under £113,000.
FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
Source: Read Full Article