Sir Alex Ferguson: it’s great to be back in Bahrain
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Thu 14 Nov 2024
Watch the full chat with Sir Alex Ferguson out in Bahrain, in conversation with Frankie Foster of Racing TV's #Raceday
Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed the development and progress of horse racing in Bahrain as the football legend and owner and breeder of Spirit Dancer hopes for successive victories in the Bahrain International Trophy on Friday, live on Racing TV.
The Kingdom’s marquee race – with a prize fund of $1million this year - has been upgraded to Group Two level and Spirit Dancer will be joined by a host of high-class challengers from Europe at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club, including three-time international Group One winner Nations Pride and multiple Group scorers Alflaila, Point Lonsdale and Lead Artist.
Spirit Dancer has been assigned the same berth in stall 11 that he broke from for big-race success last year and, while Ferguson is hopeful, he is mostly pleased to be back in the Kingdom for the big event.
“Well, last year was an exceptional year for us,” Ferguson told Frankie Foster of #Raceday.
“We know we have a good horse, but when he delivers what he did last year for us that's special.
“Even though it was a bad draw, the jockey was in a great position and it was a great victory.
“I thought two furlongs out he was going to win. He was travelling so well, all the rest were running along. So it was great to see, it really was. The pedigree is fantastic, Frankel, it’s a fantastic pedigree.”
The "Bahrain experience"
Ferguson hailed last year's in "my best moment in racing"
Ferguson is full of praise for how the Bahrain Turf Club organise their big race and cater for international owners and, given the progress of the programme and racing infrastructure in the Kingdom, he expects big things in the next decade.
“You can see how Bahrain is developing a year on. The change is amazing,” added Ferguson.
“The Bahrain experience last year was fantastic, they looked after us so well.
“And what I see now is the development. There are a lot of improvements in Bahrain. I think in ten years' time, this will be the biggest I'll do in my life.”
Ferguson bred Spirit Dancer in Hemel Hempstead in an operation that started around six years ago and last year’s success was arguably his best in many years’ involvement in horse racing, though the jumps is also close to his heart as underlined by recent high-profile acquisitions Regents Stroll and Caldwell Potter, both trained by Paul Nicholls.
High-class jump prospects "looking great"
Ferguson said: “We went to Aintree a few years prior to [last year] where we won three Grade Ones in a row, [that has] never been done before.
“I think the excitement of one of your horses winning the big races, it doesn’t matter when or where it was, it always holds strong in your memory. So we've been lucky that way, we've had good trainers and good horses.
“Last year was our first win ever at Cheltenham. We nearly had the treble up! So it was a great occasion. Cheltenham is different, it's our Wembley in horse racing. So to get a win there is something.
“When you buy a horse like Regents Stroll and Caldwell Potter, and you spend a lot of money, your assessment before you buy is about the Gold Cup.
“I can tell you without question that our other partner, John Hales, has never won the Gold Cup. He's come second three or four times. So it will be special for John and he identified why we should buy Regents Stroll and Caldwell Potter.
“We're optimistic about them, they are looking great!
Sir Alex Ferguson was speaking ahead of the Bahrain International Trophy to #Raceday which is operated by Racing TV. Start a free month trial now of Racing TV to watch the race and Cheltenham this weekend at racingtv.com/freetrial
START A FREE ONE MONTH TRIAL OF RACING TV NOW!
Related posts
Five horses to watch at Cheltenham this week
Dave Nevison's Wednesday tips at Kempton: "he looks very well in"
Saturday ante-post tips: brace of 20-1 chances among five bets
Philip Hobbs and Johnson White 2026-27 Jumps season stable tour
Racing TV's presenters' 2026-27 Jumps horses to follow
Todays top offer
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets + Money Back as a Free Bet if 2nd to SP Fav with BOYLE Sports
T&Cs Apply
18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&C's apply. 18+. IRE/NI & UK online only. Max Free Bet £/€10. Win or win part of e/w outright singles. 5+ runners. 1st bet on each race. Free/void/antepost bets don't qualify. In event of a dead heat, offer won’t apply. Applies to First Past the Post result. Unnamed 2nd Favs don’t qualify. Acc & Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.
Claim Now
Featured offers
Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets with talkSPORT BET
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New Customers. Opt in, deposit and bet £10+ on any horse racing markets within 7 days of sign up. Get 3 x £10 Free Bets for set horse racing markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ GambleAware
Bet £20 and Get £40 in Free Bets with Unibet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
18+. GambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £20 debit card or instant banking transfer deposit. Place a £20+ bet on Horse Racing at min odds 2/5 (1.4) each leg for 4x £10 Free Bets (can be used on Racing Bet Builder). Claim within 30 days. Valid for Horse Racing only. Geographical restrictions and Further T&C’s apply
Bet £10 get £40 in free bets with Kwiff
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New UK customers. Place a £10 real money bet at min. 2.0 odds within 5 days of deposit. Get 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 Single, 2 Accas & 1 Bet Builder (min. 3 selections each). Excludes cashout, E/W, Multis, Ineligible Markets & Odds Boosts. Credited after bet settlement. 7-day expiry. T&Cs apply. 18+ GambleAware
Get 50% back up to £50 with QuinnBet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New UK Customers Only. Bet £10+ on any sportsbook markets at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. Get 50% back of your first day’s losses as a Free Bet up to £50, valid for 7 days. 18+ GambleAware.
Copyright 2026 Racing TV - All Rights Reserved.
Please bet responsibly
Copyright 2026. All rights reserved