Ferguson scores a second ‘treble’ as he wins at Aintree
SIR ALEX Ferguson landed the second most notable ‘treble’ of his sporting career on the opening day of the Randox Grand National meeting at Aintree.
The legendary football boss who masterminded Manchester United’s 1999 treble success was present to see Protektorat, Monmiral and Clan Des Obeaux all win in his colours.
“That’s the best day I’ve had in my time in racing, which is about 20 years or so,” said Ferguson who was one involved with the all-conquering Flat horse Rock of Gibraltar for a period.
“It is different to when I was managing my football teams – I was in control of what was going to happen on the pitch, but I’m not in control of that (on the racetrack) as the trainer does all of that and as an owner you hope it goes well. You do get the same excitement when you win big races like that as it does get you very excited.”
After being cancelled last year due to Covid, this year’s three-day National meeting is taking place without racegoers and Aintree’s usually packed stands, so normally a cacophony of colour, were incongruous with only owners present.
Meanwhile all horses and jockeys returned safe after the Rose Paterson Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase run in memory of the former racecourse chairman, wife of Tory MP Owen Paterson, who took her own life last year.
With their three children, Paterson will launch The Rose Paterson Trust, a charity dedicated to raising money for suicide prevention, on National day.