Travel arrangements for the prized racehorse of Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary former Manchester United manager, took an unexpected turn due to a health concern. Spirit Dancer, a horse bred and owned by him, had achieved remarkable earnings surpassing £2 million with his victory in the £1m Bahrain International Trophy. However, his planned return to trainer Richard Fahey's Yorkshire yard this week was disrupted as he was taken off the plane and will remain in Bahrain to prepare for his next international assignment.

A Health Scare Shifts the Course of a Millionaire Racehorse's Journey

Health Scare and Its Impact

The seven-year-old Spirit Dancer had been on a winning streak overseas, securing two wins in Bahrain and also claiming the £1.5m Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia in February. But just when he was supposed to fly back, he showed signs of colic. Trainer Richard Fahey informed Mirror Racing, "Spirit Dancer has only had two runs this season. He's had a relatively easy year, and the plan was always to go to Hong Kong. Now this little hiccup occurred. He was due to fly back to us last night and started showing colic symptoms, so they took him off the plane. He's actually still in Bahrain. The vets have checked him, and he had a canter this morning and seems fine. It was the right decision to take him off the plane."This incident highlights the challenges and uncertainties that can arise in the world of horse racing. Even the most successful and well-traveled horses can face health issues that require immediate attention and can lead to changes in their travel plans.

Overseas Wins and Future Plans

Spirit Dancer's victory at Sakhir last Friday was a memorable moment for Ferguson, who also owns shares in two big winners at Cheltenham, Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Il Ridoto and Potter's Charm. Fahey added, "It was fantastic. Sir Alex loves it. He especially loved his time in Bahrain. Have horse, will travel is his attitude."The horse's success has encouraged connections to take a shot at a Group 1 prize, the £4.4million Longines Hong Kong Cup, which is the feature event of the Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin on December 8. Despite the setback, the plans have been adjusted. Spirit Dancer's stablemate Calif, who finished third in the Bahrain International Trophy, is due to fly out from Bahrain on November 29 to Hong Kong. If Spirit Dancer is okay, he will be added to that flight.The Longines Hong Kong International Races is one of the biggest events in world horse racing, comprising four Group 1 races worth a combined £12.7m. With 56 horses from various countries including Hong Kong, Japan, Britain, Australia, France, Ireland, Germany, and the US, and 26 individual Group 1 winners among them, it is a highly competitive and prestigious event.Spirit Dancer's story shows the resilience and determination of these magnificent animals and the teams that support them. Despite the setbacks, they continue to strive for success and make their mark on the racing world.