In a significant setback for former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's racing ambitions, one of his major hopes for the 2026 Cheltenham Festival has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Live Conti's Season Cut Short by Injury
The promising hurdler Live Conti, jointly owned by Sir Alex Ferguson with a group of associates, has been withdrawn from all competition after sustaining a tendon strain. The horse had been established as the 9-1 favourite for the prestigious County Hurdle, one of the Cheltenham Festival's most competitive handicap events.
Promising Career Trajectory Halted
Since arriving at trainer Dan Skelton's yard from France, Live Conti had shown considerable promise across his four starts for his connections. After winning on his debut at Wetherby last season, the horse delivered an impressive performance to finish second in a Grade 1 race at the Grand National meeting at Aintree.
Skelton had previously expressed considerable enthusiasm about the horse's potential, stating at Aintree: "I think Live Conti is a very, very good horse. He was giving 7lb to the winner, who has all of that experience, and he was a little keen the whole way around. I was very, very happy with him."
The trainer had outlined ambitious plans for the horse's development, noting: "He'll stay hurdling next season and then go chasing the year after. He'll be a very exciting novice chaser, but next season we'll be picking our targets. It's not easy for them, but he's good."
Recent Form and Festival Aspirations
This season, Live Conti had experienced mixed results with a disappointing run at Ascot followed by a more encouraging third-place finish in a valuable handicap hurdle at Windsor last month. This performance at Windsor had particularly caught the attention of bookmakers, who installed him as County Hurdle favourite ahead of 10-1 chance Murcia, the horse that had beaten him at Aintree in April.
The Cheltenham Festival aspirations were formally ended when Skelton announced on social media platform X: "Unfortunately Live Conti has tendon strain and will not make Cheltenham. He'll be back in training next winter."
Ferguson's Racing Successes and Current Setbacks
For Sir Alex Ferguson, now 84, horse racing has become a passionate retirement pursuit that has delivered multiple significant successes. The former football manager celebrated his first Cheltenham Festival victory in 2024 when the Paul Nicholls-trained Monmiral won the Pertemps Network Final at odds of 25-1, followed just forty minutes later by a second triumph when Protektorat captured the Ryanair Chase.
Last year brought further celebration when Caldwell Potter, purchased at auction for £630,000, won the Jack Richards Novices' Chase. However, Ferguson's stable has now suffered a double blow, with Caldwell Potter also ruled out for the season following a separate setback.
The absence of Live Conti represents a particular disappointment given the horse's promising trajectory and favourable position in the County Hurdle market. Racing enthusiasts and Ferguson's supporters will now need to wait until next winter to see the talented hurdler return to training, with hopes that his long-term potential can still be realised despite this season's premature conclusion.
