Different turf wars beckon for Ferguson

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PARIS: Alex Ferguson’s replacement in the Manchester United hotseat shouldn’t have to worry about finding the Scot mistakenly sitting in the dugout on match day – his varied interests outside the sport should keep him fully occupied. As befits a knight of the realm – Ferguson was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999 – he will be able to spend time on the racecourse watching his other favourite sport, racing.

Ironically, because of the announcement of his retirement, he was forced to cancel a day at Chester races with his players on Wednesday, so as to avoid the course being invaded by the press pack and missed his Butterfly Queen finishing second.

He will also be able to cultivate his other great love of vintage wine.

Many a manager, Rafael Benitez apart, who only shared one such convivial experience with him, has commented on the quality of wine that the 71-year-old would produce from his own cellar after a match.

Those two passions – not to mention his love of playing the piano – may seem to jar with his working class background and strong Socialist beliefs, formed from his experiences when he worked in the Glasgow shipbuilding yard at Govan on the River Clyde. But racing has been a passion for many years, a love passed on by his fa ther Alexander, a shipbuilding plater.

Indeed he has managed to keep his enthusiasm burning despite the sour manner in which his friendship ended with Irish racing giants John Magnier and JP McManus over champion racehorse Rock of Gibraltar.

However, he is an avowed admirer of Magnier’s retained trainer Aidan O’Brien as he told AFP after Rock of Gibraltar won the Group One Prix Moulin at Longchamp in September 2002.

Ferguson, who has an interest in around 20 racehorses both on the flat and over the jumps including the useful Epsom Derby hope Telescope, also found his fame did not make him a target for over-zealous racegoers.

“One of the reasons I like racing is that, largely, people leave me alone,” he said. — AFP