Steve Bruce not surprised by Sir Alex Ferguson’s record-breaking purchase for a National Hunt horse

Former manager Alex Ferguson takes his seat for the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on February 1, 2024. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce is not surprised that Sir Alex Ferguson paid a record-breaking fee for a National Hunt horse called Caldwell Potter.

Ferguson has been passionate about horses and horse racing since the days he held a close relationship with JP McManus and John Magnier, who were previously the largest stakeholders in United.

Then Ferguson would later fall out of the pair following a dispute over a brilliant race horse named Rock of Gilbratar.

The latest horse on Ferguson’s books Caldwell Potter, is a star novice hurdler, and he has joined the Paul Nicholls yard for Ferguson, Ged Mason, John Hales and Peter Done.

However, Ferguson has kept a firm interest in horse racing and is regularly seen at race meetings supporting one of his many horses.

That is why his latest big-money purchase has come as no surprise to his former defender Bruce.

Bruce told BoyleSports, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News: “Sir Alex Ferguson spending €740,000 on a horse doesn’t surprise me. He loves his horse racing and he’s shown that over the years. Now he’s invested in horses. It’s a big passion and hobby of his. Sir Alex wasn’t overly keen on attending race courses at the time [when Bruce was playing], which was typical of him because he wanted you to do the right thing. Even a trip to the races was something he was always sceptical about because that would have meant a few beers and all the rest of it. That was the way he was. But since he’s retired, we have seen more and more of his horses winning. I’m sure he enjoys it, it’s a big hobby.”

This surely means Ferguson has more wins in him yet!

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