Former Premier League ref Mike Dean narrowly misses out on win at races
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean didn’t hold back when one of his racehorses was running at Doncaster on Thursday.
The colourful ex-official, 55, put away his whistle for good In July and has rekindled his involvement in horse racing as a member of the Let’s Be Lucky Racing syndicate.
And he got right behind one of the horses he has share in when Jump The Gun ran in the Meriel Tufnell Apprentice Handicap, the opening race of the St Leger Festival.
Ridden by William Pyle, the 14-1 chance Iain Jardine-trained Jump The Gun had moved into second place inside the final furlong but just failed to get to the winner Rathbone, going down by a neck.
Dean was caught by the TV cameras prowling the parade ring and enthusiastically roaring home Pyle, shouting, “Go on Will!”
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
Jump The Gun picked up £5.400 for finishing second.
“Fantastic,” said Dean, speaking to ITV Racing. “He hadn’t run that well. He had a few problems with joints and things and had a wind operation as well.
“We put the blinkers on today for the first time and he ran a cracker so I’m very pleased. I thought he was just going to get there but so pleased he ran a good race, made up.
He continued: “I don’t touch the trainer at all. I let Alex do all the work. He’s the syndicate manager. We have another going on Saturday at Chester in the last race at Chester, Can’t Stop Now.
“That’s been running well so fingers crossed, onwards and upwards.”
In 2005 Dean was removed from his duties and told to cease involvement in an online racing venture he had advertised in the Racing Post.
Explaining how he got into racing to ITV, he said: “I used to be involved in racing probably 10 or 12 years ago. I started my own syndicate. That didn’t really work out so I didn’t do a lot for 12 or 13 years.
“I got in touch with Alex last year, got involved in three horses with him with the syndicates he’s got.”
Dean paid tribute to legendary jockey Frankie Dettori, who rides in his final Classic in the UK on Saturday, - the Betfred St Leger - by signing a giant card made for the jockey by sponsors Betfred, writing: “What a man. Good Luck. Mike Dean.”
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
