Stablehand buys Sir Alex Ferguson horse for £1,000 after Michael Owen involvement
Holly Smith, who looked after Heavenly Spirit at Michael Owen’s stables in Cheshire where she works, has now bought the horse at the Horses in Training Sale
A stablehand has paid £1,000 to provide a ‘happy home’ to an unraced horse who was owned by Sir Alex Ferguson. The legendary former Manchester United manager was the registered owner of Heavenly Spirit with racing pals Ged Mason and Peter Done.
The three-year-old gelding was in training with Hugo Palmer at ex-Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen’s Manor House Stables in Cheshire. But the chestnut never made it to the racecourse and was put in the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale in Newmarket.
After a lap of the sales ring he was knocked down to Holly Smith for 1,000gns [£1,050], the groom who had looked after him at Palmer’s yard.
She explained to Tattersalls: “I’ve always looked after him at Hugo Palmer’s. I’ve loved him. He’s the sweetest horse ever. I love riding him.
“We have tried to race him. I just want to take him out of racing and give him a happy home and then he can come and live with me, and we can go on hacks all the time with all my friends.
“He’s so safe. Anyone could literally get on him, he feels so safe. He’d take you up the canter nicely. He’s an amazing horse. I’m going to give him a good life.”
Heavenly Spirit was lot 1,556 on Day 5 of the sale, consigned by the Castlebridge Consignment.
Smith continued: “I’ve been so nervous. I’ve been sat there for the past 100 horses. I was literally shaking.
“Then as soon as he came in I could just feel myself wanting to cry. As soon as I got him I just burst out crying. I was so happy with it and now I get to take him home.”