When Protektorat takes to the turf for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, he will have the hopes of many punters resting on his haunches. There will also be a rather famous face cheering on the horse that has more than just a passing interest in his efforts.
Sir Alex Ferguson, the former Manchester United manager, owns a part-share in the Dan Skelton-trained chaser, and he is just one ‘celebrity’ that has enjoyed plenty of success in the sport.
Sir Alex Ferguson
An impressive victory in the Lancashire Chase in November has seen Protektorat installed as a 10/1 chance in the Cheltenham betting for the Gold Cup at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival, behind ante-post leaders Galopin Des Champs (11/4), defending champion A Plus Tard (7/1) and L’Homme Presse (10/1). Protektorat is likely to be a popular option in the Cheltenham tips as many have noted how well the horse stayed on soft ground at Haydock Park, and given that those are generally the prevailing conditions at Prestbury Park it was an eye-catching win indeed.
Ferguson was renowned for identifying outstanding footballers in his day, and now he’s shown a knack for investing in quality racehorses too. He was the owner of Rock of Gibraltar, who won at Group 1 level seven times during a stellar career, while Monmiral and Clan des Obeaux have also enjoyed success in the top tier.
Could Protektorat add one of the biggest titles in National Hunt racing, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, to Ferguson’s haul in March?
Dame Judi Dench
The legendary actress has been nominated seven times for an Oscar without getting the win, but her racehorses have no problem taking the line in first place.
Smokey Oakey, one of Dame Judi’s first investments in racehorse ownership, won seven times during his career – including in the prized Lincoln and Brigadier Gerard Stakes in 2008.
She retained an interest in the sport through As De Mee, who won the Grand Sefton Chase in 2016 before injury cruelly ruled him out of a tilt at the Grand National two years later.
Liz Hurley
Liz Hurley is just one of a number of celebrities that have invested in the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing syndicate, whose members also include British actor Hugh Bonneville and renowned chef Heston Blumenthal.
🏆 BRITISH-BRED GR.1 DOUBLE ON DAY 1 OF ROYAL ASCOT! 🏆
🏇PALACE PIER (GB) in the Gr.1 Queen Anne Stakes for breeders Highclere Stud (@JakeJWarren) & Floors Farming.
🏇OXTED (GB) in the Gr.1 King’s Stand Stakes for breeders Homecroft Wealth Racing.
📰 https://t.co/5c41G2k2vj pic.twitter.com/mBKil7HsKt— GBRI (@GBRI_UK) June 15, 2021
Census, one of Hurley’s prized picks, won the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury, and all told Highclere has banked £12 million in winnings through the years, with ten victories at the famed Royal Scot to their name.
Carol Vorderman & Richard Hammond
It’s an unlikely duo, but former Countdown mathematician Carol Vorderman and ex-Top Gear host Richard Hammond have joined forces to invest in racehorses.
They formed part of the Surf On the Turf ownership syndicate, and one of their flagship purchases was Subway Surf, who has won twice on the National Hunt circuit and delivered an agonising five runners-up finishes. Hammond’s wife, Mindy, meanwhile has a share in Farinet, who won impressively at Sandown in January and who may now be targeted at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Could Ferguson and Hammond both be celebrating at Prestbury Park in 2023?
