Alan Shearer's Unseen Cheltenham Glory
Premier League icon Alan Shearer is no stranger to defying expectations, having built a legendary career on the football pitch. However, one of his most remarkable underdog victories occurred not on the turf of St James' Park, but at the Cheltenham racecourse, where his horse Akilak secured a stunning 50-1 win. The twist? Shearer was miles away, engrossed in his day job as a footballer.
A Clash of Commitments
In 2005, while Shearer was leading Newcastle United in an FA Cup fourth-round match against Coventry City, his equine investment was making headlines at Cheltenham's Trials Day. The Newcastle striker had cleverly arranged for friends and co-owners to gather in his private box at the stadium, with instructions to signal the race outcome at half-time. As he walked off the pitch, he saw them "going absolutely berserk" but initially dismissed it as a prank.
Shearer later revealed: "I thought: 'These idiots are daft, they're winding me up'. But I got into the dressing room, the manager did his team talk, and then I snuck my phone into the toilet to see if I could check on the result!" The news was true—Akilak had triumphed at massive odds, and to cap it off, Newcastle won 3-1, with Shearer scoring the opener.
Racing Passion Beyond the Track
Shearer's enthusiasm for horse racing extends beyond this memorable incident. He also co-owned Augusta Kate with golfer Lee Westwood and TV personalities Ant and Dec, trained by Willie Mullins. Reflecting on his Cheltenham Festival experiences, Shearer said: "It's a side you don't usually see as a punter—it was brilliant to experience." The mare competed at the Festival in 2017 and 2018, adding to Shearer's racing portfolio.
While it's unclear if Shearer will attend this year's Cheltenham Festival, his presence will be felt through a horse named after him, Shearer, running in the St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup. This contender, which finished fifth in the same race last year, ensures the football legend's spirit remains part of the event, even if he's not there in person.
