Alan Shearer is a big racing fan, but his football got in the way when the horse he owned won big at Cheltenham back in 2005, despite being a 50-1 outsider
11:47, 12 Mar 2025
Alan Shearer missed his horse win at Cheltenham during his Newcastle days(Image: Getty Images)
The Cheltenham Festival will no doubt captivate racing fans all week, and for some, that may even come at the cost of work - something Alan Shearer is all too familiar with.
The Newcastle United legend has had owned a couple of racehorses in his time, with one famously pulling off a stunning 50-1 victory at Prestbury Park back in 2005. However, Shearer wasn't able to watch the moment unfold, as he was busy leading the line for the Toon in their FA Cup fourth-round clash against Coventry City.
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Determined to get the race result as soon as possible, he took matters into his own hands - hiding his phone in the dressing room toilets while his friends relayed updates from his executive box using hand signals. "I once had a winner at Cheltenham, not at the Festival, but Trials Day, which was a 50/1 shot," the 54-year-old told Betfair. "Unfortunately, I was actually playing that day at St James's Park.
"We had a horse called Akilak and the other owners, my mates, had gone down to watch the horse and half of my other mates were in my box during the game. Before the game, because I knew the race was going to happen during the first half, I said: 'When I look up when walking off at half-time, I need you to give me a clue as to whether it's won or not'.
"I was walking off at half-time, looking at all of my pals in the box and they were all going absolutely berserk, with their arms up in the air. I thought: 'These idiots are daft, they're winding me up'.
Alan Shearer missed a Cheltenham winner of his own many years ago(Image: Getty Images)
"But I got into the dressing room, the manager did his team talk, and then I snuck my phone into the toilet to see if I could check on the result! We won the match as well so it was one of the better days. We went out to celebrate both wins afterwards - it was a great day!"
Akilak enjoyed a racing career spanning 63 starts, picking up 11 victories along the way. Just a few weeks after that surprising win on Trials Day, he finished third in the Triumph Hurdle before eventually retiring in 2011.
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Shearer didn’t stay away from ownership for too long. In 2015, he secured a share in Augusta Kate, a mare he co-owned with TV duo and fellow Newcastle fanatics Ant and Dec, golfer Lee Westwood, and businessman Graham Wylie.
"I've been to Cheltenham with Augusta Kate, at the Festival. It was amazing to go into the parade ring, with the other owners and trainers, it was brilliant," Shearer admitted. "It's a side you don't usually see as a punter - it was brilliant to experience."
Shearer won’t have a direct interest in any runners at this year’s Festival, but his name will still be on the racecard on Gold Cup day. A horse named Shearer, inspired by the legendary Premier League goalscorer, is set to line up in the St James’ Place Festival Hunter Chase - a fitting coincidence.
It was tough going for punters at Cheltenham on Tuesday(Image: Getty Images)
"There's a special horse running on Friday, trained by Paul Nicholls, called Shearer - fantastic. I mean, Shearer, running in the St James', come on!" the Toon legend beamed. "I want to wish everyone the best of luck for Friday. I really hope it goes well, good luck Paul, Olive, and all the connections. It's won two from two this season and hopefully, it will be three from three."
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The nine-year-old, currently listed at 10/1, will make his Cheltenham debut under rider Olive Nicholls, daughter of trainer Paul Nicholls.