Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary former Manchester United manager, has been enjoying an extraordinary run of success in the world of horse racing over the past 48 hours. The 81-year-old, who now co-owns horses with his long-time friend Ged Mason, has experienced a remarkable string of victories that have left the racing community in awe.

Fergie's Equine Empire Expands with Cheltenham Triumphs

Conquering the Paddy Power Gold Cup

Sir Alex Ferguson's racing fortunes reached new heights on Saturday at Cheltenham, where his horse, Il Ridoto, trained by Paul Nicholls, secured a dominant victory in the prestigious Paddy Power Gold Cup. The seven-year-old gelding, sent off at 10-1, defied the odds and the challenge of the 3-1 favorite, Ginny's Destiny, to win by an impressive four and a half lengths. Freddie Gingell, the 18-year-old jockey, expertly guided Il Ridoto to the front around the home turn, and the horse's fine jumping over the final two fences sealed the victory. Nicholls, the renowned trainer, praised the owners, describing them as a "great bunch of lads" who have horses with various trainers, including Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins. This triumph adds to Ferguson's impressive racing resume, which already includes a Classic winner on the Flat and a Grade One treble at Aintree.

Promising Prospects for the Arkle Trophy

While Il Ridoto's victory was a significant achievement, it was the emphatic success of L'Eau du Sud in the two-mile novice chase that has Ferguson and his team dreaming of a potential winner at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival in March. L'Eau du Sud, trained by Dan Skelton, was a high-class handicapper over hurdles last season, finishing second in both the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury and the County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham's Festival meeting. However, the horse has shown even greater promise over fences, and Skelton believes he has the potential to be a Grade One winner. L'Eau du Sud is now priced at around 10-1 for the Arkle Trophy Novice Chase, the opening day's feature event at the Cheltenham Festival. Skelton is confident that his charge has the necessary form and suitability to cement his place as the best two-mile novice in Britain, although he acknowledges the challenges posed by the likes of Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls, who may have their own contenders for the prestigious race.

A Promising Juvenile Hurdler Emerges

The opening juvenile hurdle at Cheltenham also provided a glimpse of Ferguson's future racing success, as James Owen, fresh from an outstanding debut season on the Flat, guided East India Dock to an impressive victory. The highly rated recruit from the Flat is now likely to have just one more run before the Triumph Hurdle on Gold Cup day in March. Owen, who won the same race last year with Burdett Road, believes that East India Dock is even more impressive than his previous winner, and that the New Course at Cheltenham will suit the horse better. With the horse priced at around 10-1 for the Triumph Hurdle, Ferguson and his team have another promising prospect to look forward to in the coming months.

A Remarkable Run of Form

Sir Alex Ferguson's current run of success in the racing world is truly remarkable, even by his own high standards. In addition to his triumphs at Cheltenham, the former Manchester United manager also enjoyed a lucrative Friday in Bahrain, where his horse, Spirit Dancer, secured a victory. This string of victories has left the racing community in awe, as Ferguson continues to prove his prowess in the sport, adding to his already impressive list of achievements.As the racing season progresses, all eyes will be on Sir Alex Ferguson and his team, as they look to build on their recent successes and potentially secure even more victories at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival in March. With a stable of promising horses and a wealth of experience in the sport, the legendary manager's equine empire shows no signs of slowing down.