Sir Alex Ferguson is to pursue an additional $1 million investment from the racehorses he breeds and owns. Last November, the legendary former Manchester United manager enjoyed his best day on the pitch as the Spirit Dancers surprisingly won the Bahrain International Cup. In celebration after his horse won at 20-1, Ferguson suffered broken ribs when friend and co-owner Ged Mason lifted him into the air, he later revealed. Spirit Dancer, who won the £500,000 first prize, won a further £944,000 when he traveled to Saudi Arabia in February and won the Neom Turf Cup.
He has not raced since March, following his last race in Dubai, but plans to return to action at Newmarket on October 12. The son of Frankel will attempt to make history on November 15 by becoming the first two-time winner of an international race. The list of Group or Grade 1 winners among this year’s entries includes Joseph O’Brien’s Al Riffa, Aidan O’Brien’s Coronation Cup winner Luxembourg, Arlington Million Nations Pride and two Group 1 Germans. Fantastic Moon and California won .
Meanwhile, three-time Group 1 champions Nashwa are set to return to action at Newmarket on Saturday. Spirit Dancer’s trainer Richard Fahey said: “Spirit Dancer is in excellent condition. He will prepare for the Darley Stakes at Newmarket over the same course he ran last year. “We all had a wonderful trip and experience in Bahrain and the team is looking forward to returning this year.”The international race includes Jerome Rainier’s French trainer Fachter Cheval, who won the Meydan Tour in Dubai last March, and first-time head trainer Yoshito Yahagi GT, Mr. Can include the Japanese runner who brought T.
Ed Veal, Director of Racing and International Relations at the Bahrain Turf Club, said: “We are delighted that the Bahrain International Cup has attracted such a high level of participation. The racing program is growing every year and the fact that we have Japanese horses for the first time is proof of that. “It is also interesting that Spirit Dancer and his connections have returned to Bahrain to defend the crown. He is part of a strong team of European competitors that includes Group 1 artists from France, Germany, Ireland and the UK.
