03 February 2024 , 14:59
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Michael Owen hailed Sir Alex Ferguson's 'lucky spot' as a £37,000 win sparked wild celebrations in Bahrain.
The pair, who worked together when Liverpool's legend made a controversial move to Manchester United, cheered notable results in the country.
Owen jumped for joy with the delighted team supporting Roman Dragon, who earned £37,795 with his late Hawar Cup charge.
The ex-England striker was standing where Ferguson had been in November, delighted with Spirit Dancer's Bahrain International Trophy performance.
In exciting circumstances, Hugo Palmer's trainee Roman Dragon made headway to squeeze through at the two furlong pole and lead in the final strides from fellow British raider Brazen Bolt.
Housebound ex-serviceman enjoys special window visit from physio's horse
"My old boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, was stood here not so long ago having won the big race, the Bahrain International Trophy, so it’s clearly a lucky spot," said Owen, owner of Palmer's Manor House Stables in Cheshire.
Ebrahim Nader was on-board Roman Dragon, known for his liking for Owen's local track Chester.
“We’re absolutely delighted," Owen added. "He has got speed to burn but we often think he’s better round a turning track than a straight track, so today is a lovely surprise."
Ferguson's horse Spirit Dancer's took the big prize at the circuit, worth £500,000 to the winner.
The United great was in charge when Owen played for the Old Trafford team from 2009 to 2012.
He joined as a free agent, scoring 17 times, after writing his name into the Liverpool history books with 216 Premier League appearances.
In his time at Anfield he had 118 goals in the competition between 1996 and 2004, which was followed by spells at Real Madrid and Newcastle.
"Faced with the possibility of playing at a big club, with great facilities, in the Champions League, with players that I’d known and played with at England, it really wasn’t a difficult choice at all to sign for Manchester United," he wrote in his autobiography.