The thrill of owning a racehorse seems to be rubbing off on past and present football stars, as more big names from the sport are getting involved in horse racing. Their aim, just like in their own careers, is to win some of the biggest events on the international calendar.
Here is a look at some of the football stars who have recently had success in horse racing.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Harry Redknapp
PROTEKTORAT WINS THE RYANAIR CHASE!
— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) March 14, 2024
An Alex Ferguson double on the day 😮 pic.twitter.com/g1ysiivtDA
Football managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Harry Redknapp both had winners at this year’s Cheltenham Festival. The former won the Ryanair Chase with Protektorat, while the latter landed the Plate Handicap Chase.
Ferguson will be very excited about the future with his Cheltenham Festival winner. He could be aimed for the Grand National in 2025 at Aintree where he is 66/1 in the bet on horse racing odds.
The former Manchester United boss is involved in multiple racehorses, including Caldwell Potter, who is one of the leading horse racing tips for the Punchestown Festival. Ferguson and his partners paid a record £632,910 back in February for the hurdler. He became the most expensive National Hunt horse in history.
Michael Owen Has Hit the Back of the Net in Horse Racing
Ex-Liverpool and England star Michael Owen doesn’t just own racehorses, but he has built a training operation in Cheshire, with close to 100 horses housed in his stable. He is heavily involved in the daily running of the operation alongside leading Flat trainer Hugo Palmer.
Owen has always had a strong passion for horse racing, but since he retired from football, he has been able to commit more time to the sport. He breeds his own horses, and they have had a lot of success on the track, with the highlight being his Royal Ascot triumph in 2011 with Brown Panther.
With such a strong team alongside him at Manor House Stables, the former Ballon d’Or winner is looking to expand his training operation futher. With world class facilities, he is hoping to produce a British Classic winner in the next few years.
Antoine Griezmann is a German Classic Winner
France international Antoine Griezmann has been involved in horse racing for several years now as owner. The Atletico Madrid forward has his own stables, and he is actively involved in the running of the operation.
🔴🟢 Txope is a new Classic winner for Siyouni @AgaKhanStuds after winning the German 1000 Guineas. pic.twitter.com/nlQs2XK0tp
— TDN (@theTDN) June 13, 2022
Griezmann’s biggest success so far in horse racing came in 2022 when he won the German 1,000 Guineas with Txope. That was his maiden success in a Classic in the sport.
Earlier this year, the Frenchman had his first runner at the All-Weather Championship finals at Newcastle when Hooking featured in his colours. The all-weather specialist finished third in that valuable prize.
Griezmann is expected to spend even more time involved in horse racing when he retires from football. He could follow Owen’s path of owning his own training operation in Chantilly, France.
With the success the above have had, expect to see more football stars have a taste of the action on the track in the near future.
