SIR Alex Ferguson has smashed his own world-record – with the eye-popping £660,000 purchase of an unbeaten horse who could be racing’s next superstar.
The Manchester United legend and a group of close pals were the bidders for Regent’s Stroll at the Goffs sale in Doncaster today.
Sir Alex and Co had previously set the record for the most expensive jumps horse ever sold at public auction when buying Caldwell Potter for £633,000 in February.
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But he and friends have gone even higher this time to buy the unbeaten five-year-old, who is 2-2 in bumpers.
Regent’s Stroll now holds the record as the most expensive jumps horse ever sold at public auction – despite never jumping an obstacle in public!
Bloodstock agent Tom Malone and legendary trainer Paul Nicholls were doing the bidding on behalf of Sir Alex and his mates.
Sir Alex has struck up a close friendship with multi-millionaire businessman Ged Mason and fluffy toy entrepreneur John Hales.
They joined Sir Alex in stumping up the cash – as did new co-owners Neil and Alfie Smith.
Nicholls said the fierce bidding war – which started at £400,000 and was going up in increments of £20,000 at points – was the most nervous he had ever been.
Regent’s Stroll had previously been owned by Chris Giles.
But he shocked the sport by saying he was quitting and putting 11 of his horses in training up for sale.
Among them is former Cheltenham Festival winner Stay Away Fay, who was also sold to Malone and Nicholls for £325,000.
Nicholls, one of the stars of new ITV docu-series Champions: Full Gallop, and his buying partner Malone spent a combined £1.5million on just six horses at the auction.
That also included splashing £200,000 on former Scottish Champion Hurdle winner Rubaud.
More to follow.
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