Sir Alex Ferguson described Thursday at the Cheltenham Festival as his "greatest day in racing" after finally owning a winner at the meeting, achieving a quickfire double reminiscent of Manchester United's 1999 Champions League final triumph. The former manager's horses Monmiral (25-1) and Protektorat (17-2) secured victories in the Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle and the Grade One Ryanair Chase respectively.
Ferguson, an owner for 25 years, admitted he had waited two decades for a Festival winner. "It's a special occasion," he said after Protektorat's success. "You've got the FA Cup final, the Derby, and Cheltenham—the three most important venues in the sporting world. To do it here is unbelievable."
Harry Redknapp, a former managerial rival of Ferguson, also tasted victory as Shakem Up'Arry won the Plate Handicap Chase, earning a £64,000 prize. Redknapp named the horse after a West Ham fan who would shout "Shake 'em up, 'Arry" during matches. "It's a special day for me," Redknapp said. "Here today is the Champions League of racing. To have a winner at Cheltenham is a dream."
The football-themed success extended to a Betfair customer who placed a £5 treble on the three football-related winners, collecting £16,195. Meanwhile, Teahupoo, trained by Gordon Elliott, won the Stayers' Hurdle, and popular hurdler Paisley Park was retired after the race.
