SIR Alex Ferguson has found himself at the centre of a massive racing row - after his big £630,000 horse was branded a 'heap of s**t'.
The former Manchester United manager was part of an ownership group that splashed the then-world-record sum on Caldwell Potter at a sale last year.
Legendary Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson was among a group of pals who spent £630,000 on Caldwell Potter - a superstar racehorse who, so far, is failing to live up to the hype
A Grade 1 winner as a novice hurdler when trained by Gordon Elliott in Ireland, he hasn't quite lived up to the hype since moving to trainer Paul Nicholls and going over fences.
And his critics were out in force after he finished a four-length second when sent off 4-6 fav for a Grade 2 Novice Chase at Windsor on Friday.
Some punters branded the seven-year-old gelding - who Sir Alex said 'took my breath away' at the time - a 'waste of money'.
But trainer Nicholls hit out afterwards - at the same time he was slated by fellow handler Hughie Morrison.
Morrison was speaking after his gambled-on Secret Squirrel got the better of Nicholls' Kabral Du Mathan in a handicap hurdle at Windsor, the pair finishing 1-2 respectively.
Referencing Nicholls' recent holiday in the Caribbean - where he tipped up a 33-1 Grand National chance - Morrison said: "Most jumps trainers seem to head off to Barbados [in January].
"Us Flat trainers don't have time for that…"
Nicholls then spoke about Caldwell Potter and the slating the horse has received for - so far - failing to live up to the price tag.
The legendary trainer said: "Harry [Cobden] got off and said he's a very nice horse but not a champion and I'd echo that.
"There's no excuses, he came there to win two-out and he didn't.
"You're not expecting to win a Champion Chase with him at the moment.
"Immediately on Twitter people say 'What a heap of s***', but people have no idea. He's a very nice horse.
"He's not easy to train, we had issues in the spring which is why I couldn't run him and I still have issues with him all the time with his feet, so that's not easy.
"You wouldn't want to run him on quick ground."
Caldwell Potter won his first race for Nicholls when scooting up in a Class 3 chase at Carlisle on December 1 last year.
But he was hammered 13 lengths by Nicky Henderson's Jango Baie when sent off 11-10 fav at Cheltenham 12 days later.
The money was down for him again at Windsor but he failed to produce when it mattered most.
Sir Alex said he 'nearly fainted' when he learned how much he and his mates were going to have to part with to buy Caldwell Potter.
The horse was being sold after previous owners, Andy and Gemma Brown from Stoke, decided they wanted to leave racing.
Fergie said at the end of last year: "This year we have some really good horses.
"Caldwell Potter is the one who really took my breath away.
"He was up for sale in Ireland and John said 'we may have to go to 600,000 euros' and at that point I fainted.
"Then he says 'it's gone to 700,000' and he asked if I wanted to stay in. I said, 'John, you've taken us this bloody far, carry on!"
"Gordon Elliott was very kind and he wrote me a nice letter after, he was desperate to keep the horse.
"He tried hard, going round all the sources he had, but fortunately we got it.
"And he won his first race last week. I'm hopeful."
Asked if he is the one who really has Sir Alex dreaming of big things, he replied, without missing a beat: "At that price, he better be!"
This is not the first time Sir Alex has become embroiled in a racing row with a horse regarding massive sums of money.
The Rock Of Gibraltar was a £200million champion racehorse the ex-Utd chief proudly owned.
But a disagreement over rights to the money the record-breaking horse made at stud led to Sir Alex taking on legendary racing figures JP McManus and John Magnier - who just so happened to own Man Utd at the time.
Ultimately the matter was settled... and it let to hated Glazer Family taking charge at Old Trafford.
Grealish declared 'she's not with me' as he left Chiltern FirehouseKieran Gibbs’ twin brother Jaydon was situated between themGrealish looked to be in good spirits just a day after coming off injured in City’s 3-2 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid.And the ex-Aston Villa star was spotted leaving the popular celeb hangout as a mystery woman walked behind him.Another man, believed to...
HE has wiped the slate clean after leaving Manchester for a new life abroad.And it appears that Mason Greenwood is enjoying his fresh start in France, where he is said to have put his party lifestyle behind him and become a “homebody”.Mason Greenwood and partner Harriet have just welcomed a second daughterThe striker - who was accused of attempted rape, assault and coercive control in ...
A look at the intense work in the gym and her athletic figureGeorgina RodriguezGeorgina Rodríguez is turning heads once again, and this time, it's all about her stunning transformation. The model and influencer has been hitting the gym harder than ever, and her latest workout clips prove she's committed to staying in top shape. Whether it's for herself, her career, or keeping the spark alive ...
Cristiano Ronaldo was sport's top earner in 2024Not a single female athlete features in the top 100 spots in a newly published list of sport's highest earners in 2024.The list does, however, demonstrate the spending power of the Saudi Pro League. Cristiano Ronaldo tops the pile thanks in no small part to the mega-money deal he signed with Al-Nassr during the 2022-23 season, while fellow Saudi-base...
Everton's shirt sponsor Stake have been the centre of a sex stunt probeA sex stunt by adult star Bonnie Blue has seen Everton's shirt sponsor leave the UK.Everton's front-of-shirt sponsor Stake has given up its license in Great Britain after an investigation. Stake's logo was on screen during a social media video shot outside Nottingham Trent University where Bonnie was there "as promised" to - in...
The striker welcomed a second daughter with partner Harriet Robson earlier this week.Greenwood and partner Harriet RobsonThe couple celebrated the birth of their first child Summer in July 2023.A source said: "They are both delighted with the safe arrival of their second child. They are really enjoying living in France and are enjoying the simple things."Mason is performing well on the pitch and t...
Neal Maupay is a notorious troll and he has once again left football fans in stitches with a brutal response to Manchester United legend Paul Scholes over an infamous incidentNeal Maupay took a savage dig at Paul Scholes after the Manchester United icon joked the former Brighton star "takes the p***".The feisty French striker, currently on loan at Ligue 1's Marseille from Everton, is no stranger t...
THIS guy needs no introduction – it’s Sergio Agueroooo.Man City legend. Premier League icon. Messi’s mate. Maradona’s son-in-law (previously). And now . . . Porsche racing driver.Turns out Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero is a bit handy behind the wheelA Porsche 99X accelerates faster than an F1 carTurns out the Argentinian striker is a bit handy behind the wheel and will ...
JOHN ARNE RIISE has completed an incredible 24-hour treadmill run.The former Liverpool star covered an astonishing 106 miles during the daring challenge.He covered 106 miles in a 24-hour running stintRiise, 44, is a cult hero at Anfield and was a part of the side that won the Champions League in 2005.He retired from playing back in 2023 and has now completed his toughest challenge.The Norweigian t...
CHELSEA star Sam Kerr has been found not guilty of racially abusing a cop after branding him "f***ing stupid and white" in a drunk row.The 31-year-old was out with her partner - fellow footballer Kristie Mewis - when one was sick in the cab and the other smashed a window.She was out with her fiance - fellow footballer Kristie Mewis - at the time After the pair refused to pay a clean-up fee, the dr...
