Mar 13, 2025, 05:20 PM
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Sir Alex Ferguson tasted success at Cheltenham on Thursday. Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images
Legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson earned his latest victory on Thursday as the horse he part owns, Caldwell Potter, won the Jack Richards Novices' Chase at Cheltenham.
Ferguson, 83, has been an avid horse racing fan for years and has assembled an impressive stable since he stepped away from the Old Trafford dugout in 2013.
Caldwell Potter's win was particularly poignant as it came two months after the death of John Hales.
Hales was part of the syndicate -- along with Ferguson, Ged Mason and Peter Done -- who bought Caldwell Potter for €740,000 (£630,000) last year. The figure made him the most expensive jump horse at a public auction, but he had flattered to deceive before his success at Cheltenham on Thursday. Hales was the driving force behind Caldwell Potter's acquisition and the horse runs in his yellow and red colours.
Sir Alex Ferguson and the Caldwell Potter team watch their galloping grey storm to an emotional Cheltenham Festival victory in the colours of the late John Hales ❤️@CheltenhamRaces | @PFNicholls pic.twitter.com/tkNXnL2TMn
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 13, 2025
The syndicate enjoyed their maiden Cheltenham Festival successes with Monmiral and Protektorat last year.
Caldwell Potter's victory, which was trainer Paul Nicholls' 50th at the Cheltenham Festival, came with a £50,000 prize.
"I don't take no notice of what they say. The reason John bought this horse is he lost Hermes Allen. He wanted someone to replace Hermes," Nicholls told ITV.
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"John put his money where his mouth was and bought him. It's irrelevant what they cost, they are all treated the same. He just needed a bit of patience."
Ferguson was pictured jumping for joy as the horse sped to victory and later said winning at the famous horse racing meet again "was a bonus."
"I think the jumping won it," Ferguson told BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra. "What can I say? Great horse, it was a bonus. Winning here last year with two was fantastic and doing it again this year is fantastic. Thank you very much."