Sir Alex Ferguson jets off to Bahrain in search of £500,000 with his Man Utd wonderhorse Spirit Dancer

5 months ago 45

SIR Alex Ferguson is expected to jet off to Bahrain in search of £500,000 thanks to his latest Manchester United wonderhorse.

Spirit Dancer, who runs in red and white silks just like the colours of his old club, is among the challengers for the $1million Bahrain International Trophy on Friday.

Some $600,000 (roughly £500,000) will go to connections of the owner – and it’s Sir Alex who’s in the driving seat with his star six-year-old gelding.

Trained by Richard Fahey, Spirit Dancer, who Sir Alex bred himself, has already won £250,000.

But he could claim one of the richest prizes around the world with victory in the fiercely contested Group 2 over 1m2f.

The legendary footie manager and fellow co-owners Ged Mason and Fred Done of Betfred fame have already shelled out the £16,000 entry fee.

So now it’s down to the horse, who looks sure to outrun his 40-1 odds, to do the business for them on the track.

Spirit Dancer rattled off a hat-trick of wins in the summer and surged to a rating of 112, the highest of his career.

Fahey said Sir Alex – who recently spoke at Bobby Charlton’s funeral, ‘gets a buzz’ out of the horse doing well and is expected to be in the Kingdom to watch him in person.

He told the Racing Post: “Sir Alex has enjoyed him this year – you can tell he’s getting a buzz out of him.

“To be fair to him, he’s been patient, and he’s getting the rewards for his patience.

“It’s great to be a part of it, Bahrain has been very good to us and fingers crossed we can finish in the first four.”

It could turn out to be a mega month for Sir Alex, with his horse Protektorat red-hot favourite to defend his Betfair Chase crown at Haydock on November 25.

Victory there would be worth a shade over £112,000 and could cap off a remarkable fortnight for the racing fanatic.