Saudi Cup undercard triumph for a horse bred by Sir Alex himself.
Sir Alex Ferguson's horse, Spirit Dancer, clinched another significant victory at the Saudi Cup event by triumphing in the Howden Neom Turf Cup. The Frankel gelding, trained by Richard Fahey and co-owned by Ferguson, Ged Mason, and Fred Done, is regularly mounted by jockey Oisin Orr.
Last year, Orr and Spirit Dancer emerged victorious at the Group Two Bahrain International Trophy, prompting them to aim for the Neom Turf Cup after an initial stop at Meydan in January. The prestigious Neom Turf Cup attracted a strong field, featuring notable contenders like Aidan O’Brien’s Luxembourg, Andrew Balding’s The Foxes, and John and Thady Gosden’s Jack Darcy.
During the race, Jack Darcy led the pack early on, closely shadowed by Luxembourg ridden by Ryan Moore, who appeared poised for victory down the home stretch. However, Spirit Dancer showcased superior form, effortlessly gliding to a remarkable and lucrative win with two furlongs to go.
Sir Alex Ferguson, who also had a hand in breeding the horse alongside Niall McLoughlin, praised the outstanding performance, expressing his delight at the horse's progression and Orr's skill. Co-owner Ged Mason shared his elation, emphasising the horse's remarkable finish and acknowledging Ferguson's premonition of victory that morning.
Trainer Richard Fahey, who has guided the seven-year-old to eight victories, hinted at a potential Dubai appearance for Spirit Dancer, highlighting the horse's exceptional international success. Fahey expressed his desire to further test Spirit Dancer's capabilities, acknowledging the growing admiration for the horse within the racing community.
Fahey's optimism about Spirit Dancer's future resonated with the sentiments shared by Ferguson and Mason, underscoring the horse's burgeoning popularity and promising trajectory in the racing world.