Sir Alex Ferguson walks away empty-handed from £5million race after star horse Spirit Dancer finishes second last

SIR Alex Ferguson walked away empty-handed from a £5million race after his star horse Spirit Dancer finished second last – but did manage to bag a late winner at Wolverhampton.

Jockey Oisin Orr never got into a strong enough position to challenge in the mega-money Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan.

Reuters

William Buick celebrates on Rebel’s Romance after springing a shock in Dubai[/caption]

William Buick and Charlie Appleby sprung a 28-1 shock with winner Rebel’s Romance.

With 33-1 outsider Sharyar finishing second to complete the freak 1-2.

Spirit Dancer, who has won his Manchester United legend owner £1.5m from his past three runs, was sent off 25-1.

But always running at the back of the 12-runner field, he couldn’t pick up round the outside as they turned for home.

By that time Buick had already stolen a march on Rebel’s Romance, a former Breeders’ Cup winner.

And with dawdling fractions being set throughout the race, he only had to eek out a bit more to win comfortably in the end.

Red-hot favourite Auguste Rodin was sent off 5-4 after being smashed in from 3-1 but finished stone last after never appearing to go well under Ryan Moore.

Sir Alex had said he was ‘quietly confident’ Spirit Dancer, who landed huge pots in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, would run well in the Sheema Classic, worth £2.7m to the winner.

But although Saturday wasn’t their day, there is little to be upset about given the joys he has given them over the winter.

And there is hope the seven-year-old gelding can come back for more big races in the Middle East under trainer Richard Fahey.

It wasn’t all bad for Sir Alex, either.

He still had a winner on the day in the shape of the brilliantly-named Road To Wembley at Wolverhampton.

The 4-1 chance picked up well and scooted home to land a cheque for £5,000.

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