THAT'S THE SPIRIT Sir Alex Ferguson ECSTATIC as his horse Spirit Dancer makes history with back-to-back wins in $1million Bahrain race

Posted Saturday, November 16, 2024 by Thesun.co.uk

SIR ALEX FERGUSON's Spirit Dancer made history by winning the $1million Bahrain International Trophy for a SECOND year running.

The Richard-Fahey trained horse provided the former Manchester United manager with the "best moment in racing" when winning the race last year.

THAT'S THE SPIRIT Sir Alex Ferguson ECSTATIC as his horse Spirit Dancer makes history with back-to-back wins in $1million Bahrain race
Sir Alex Ferguson was ecstatic as the horse won the race

THAT'S THE SPIRIT Sir Alex Ferguson ECSTATIC as his horse Spirit Dancer makes history with back-to-back wins in $1million Bahrain race
Oisin Orr rode Spirit Dancer to ANOTHER victory in the race Credit: PA

But given Spirit Dancer had been beaten by over 13 lengths by John and Thady Gosdens' Lead Artist, the favourite for this year's race, another victory did not look likely.

Especially when the Gosdens' three-year-old, the youngest horse in the race, cruised to the front with bags left in the tank.

And yet, Spirit Dancer came from nowhere to win the Grade 2 race once again and make history in the process.

In a post-race interview, Sir Alex, 82, said: "Unbelievable.

"I mean it's so far back, I was saying - he's not going to do it. I don't know where he got it from. And same draw as last year.

"I can't believe he got there. I'm really proud of him. I'm proud of the jockey because he sat motionless."

He added that, if last year's win was his "best moment in racing", this was the second best.

Jed Mason added: "Lightning won't strike the same place twice but it has today. Richard and the team are here today and credit to them for getting him back from his injury.

"Fantastic. So happy for this fellow [Sir Alex] who bred him."

Ferguson has no doubt had a turbulent and high profile journey when it comes to owning racehorses.

Earlier this year he splashed £660,000 - a record at the time - on the Gordon Elliot-trained Caldwell Potter, in a bid for Cheltenham Gold Cup glory.

The horse, who moved to Paul Nicholls, suffered a minor setback at the Ditcheat yard, but is expected to be back on the track at the end of this month.

But he's no stranger to success in the racing game. Rock Of Gibraltar, who he owned partly with Coolmore's John Magnier, became the first horse to win seven Group 1s on the trot in the northern hemisphere.

But the two infamously went to war in a huge law suit over the horse's stud fees.