Harry Redknapp’s Gold Cup dream attracts footballing admiration

While it was not to be for Harry Redknapp in the Cheltenham Gold Cup – for this year at least – fellow famous footballing faces are full of admiration for his bid to topple the racing giants.

Redknapp was joined at Prestbury Park by wife Sandra and his sons, including former England international Jamie, for The Jukebox Man’s quest to add the Gold Cup to his King George triumph at Christmas.

Some of the FA Cup-winning manager’s former rivals from his footballing days were also in attendance at Cheltenham on Friday, with former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson someone who could appreciate just what Redknapp was trying to achieve given his own passion for racing.

Ferguson told the Press Association: “Harry has been in horses for a long while, but to get one as good as that is brilliant. It takes a bit of good fortune, but also he has chosen to invest in something that will give him great excitement.

“I fancied it, (but) it’s a hard race up that hill in the last two furlongs. I remember when What A Friend ran in the Gold Cup, that hill caught him out.

“In my time at United, Harry was always at the forefront of management himself and we always enjoyed a glass of wine.

“This is completely separate to football and is about enjoyment. If you are prepared to invest in this game, you can pick your trainers and Harry has picked a good up-and-coming trainer in Ben Pauling, someone with a good bit of energy and desire.

“It’s a real success story.”

Ferguson saw his Maestro Conti finish second in the opening Triumph Hurdle on the Gold Cup card and was joined in the paddock by fellow footballing greats Bryan Robson and Graeme Souness.

Robson, who captained both Manchester United and England before embarking on a managerial career, is another to get to know Redknapp both personally and professionally over the years.

Robson said: “Harry loves his racing and is a great guy and character.

“If you haven’t got a horse running in the race yourself, then you would always be cheering for Harry because you have known him so well throughout your career and he’s a great guy.

“Not only do I know him through football, but we’ve ended up on holiday in the same destinations and we’ve always got on really well. I’m delighted for him.”