Sir Alex Ferguson hails ‘best ever’ win with £500,000 payday on horse he bred and runs in Man Utd colours

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.

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Sir Alex gets a big smacker from co-owner Mason as their horse Spirit Dancer wins £500,000 in the Bahrain International Trophy[/caption]

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.

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.

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