Sir Alex Ferguson hails the 'best moment' of his racing life as his homebred horse Spirit Dancer wins Bahrain International Trophy to land £500,000 prize

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Sir Alex Ferguson described Spirit Dancer’s thrilling victory in Bahrain as the pinnacle of his life in racing after his best horse landed a £500,000 prize. 

Trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by Oisin Orr, Spirit Dancer produced a stunning turn of foot to mow down John Gosden’s Israr and the Aidan O’Brien-trained Point Lonsdale to claim the Group One Bahrain International Trophy. 

The former Manchester United manager has been in Bahrain for most of the week and, ahead of the race, said Spirit Dancer ‘had given me so much joy’. 

The 81-year-old bred the son of Frankel and co-owns the gelding with long-time friend Ged Mason and Fred Done. 

Ferguson was overcome with emotion afterwards and it came through in his words. 

Sir Alex Ferguson's Spirit Dancer won the Bahrain International Trophy to claim a £50k prize

The former Man United boss was elated as he danced around with Ged Mason after the result

He was a co-owner of Rock Of Gibraltar, who won a raft of big races, including the 2,000 Guineas, in 2002. But this triumph, he believed, topped everything. 

‘That is the best moment (of my racing life), no doubt,’ said Ferguson. ‘When you looked at the field I was worried. Godolphin, (Aidan) O’Brien, (Andre) Fabre — they’ve all got horses here. And we are just a wee stable from Yorkshire. 

‘It was a fantastic performance. He won well. When he hit the front, Ged (Mason) just jumped on me! I didn’t want to count my chickens. I was just praying and he carried me over the line with him. He won easy.’ 

Ferguson - who has been involved horse racing for decades - said it was his 'best moment' in the sport so far