My nan got me into racing, she’d get locked up every weekend because gambling was illegal, reveals Harry Redknapp

9 months ago 54

HARRY REDKNAPP revealed following his Cheltenham triumph that his nan got him into horse racing… but admits she used to be locked up EVERY WEEK.

The former West Ham, Portsmouth and Tottenham manager, 77, celebrated wildly as Shakem Up’Arry stormed to victory in the Magners Plate on Thursday.

It is Redknapp‘s first victory at the Cheltenham Festival – an event he has been a fan of throughout his life.

And the retired football manager confirmed following the huge win that his nan inspired him to get into horse racing as she was a bookies’ runner.

However, the job was illegal when she was doing the role, so she was often arrested for her antics.

Speaking to ITV Racing, Redknapp said: “My Nan got me into racing.

“She was a bookies’ runner and every week she’d get locked up in Poplar police station because betting was illegal in those days.”

He then went on to add: “I love the horses, I love the festival, I love the people. It means so much.”

An ecstatic Redknapp, whose horse’s name was inspired by a West Ham fan, also spoke hilariously about his wife, Sandra, following the victory.

He said: “My wife thinks I’ve only got one horse, she doesn’t know about the other 25!

“She’s probably out shopping – ‘what happened to your horse Harry?’
‘Oh nothing, he just won!'”

Among those Shakem Up’Arry beat included Sir Alex Ferguson‘s Il Ridoto.

The Manchester United icon’s horse finished down in eighth place.

And Redknapp took the time to praise Sir Alex for his back-to-back wins.

He added: “Alex got two and that was great for him. He’s a great man and we had a great time playing against each other over the years.

“We used to have a bet in the office at quarter past two, then back to business after that. They were great days.”