It's the start of the Cheltenham Festival, one of the highlights of the racing calendar in the United Kingdom. The four-day event gets under way with Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and has the Gold Cup on Friday.

Even for casual racing fans, it's an iconic meeting. For those who own or race horses, it is even more of a special occasion.

Former Newcastle United captain Alan Shearer has dabbled in horse racing, and has had part-ownership of horses - including one that gave him a memorable moment while he was stripped and playing in an FA Cup tie at St James' Park.

Shearer revealed: "I once had a winner at Cheltenham, not at the Festival, but Trials Day, which was a 50/1 shot. Unfortunately, I was actually playing that day at St James' Park.

"We had a horse called Akilak and the other owners, my mates, had gone down to watch the horse and half of my other mates were in my box during the game. Before the game, because I knew the race was going to happen during the first half, I said: 'When I look up when walking off at half-time, I need you to give me a clue as to whether it’s won or not'.

"I was walking off at half-time, looking at all of my pals in the box and they were all going absolutely berserk, with their arms up in the air. I thought: 'These idiots are daft, they're winding me up'.

"But I got into the dressing room, the manager did his team talk, and then I snuck my phone into the toilet to see if I could check on the result!

"We won the match as well so it was one of the better days. We went out to celebrate both wins afterwards - it was a great day!"

The game Shearer was playing in was an FA Cup tie against Coventry City on January 29, 2005. The Newcastle skipper opened the scoring on 37 minutes as the Magpies went on to win 3-1 under Graeme Souness, in the first game since his bust-up with Craig Bellamy which saw the Welshman axed from the squad.

Shearer, meanwhile, is looking to cheer on a horse in his own name on Friday at Cheltenham. He told Betfair: "There’s a special horse running on Friday, trained by Paul Nicholls, called Shearer, fantastic. I mean, Shearer, running in the St James’s, come on!

"I want to wish everyone the best of luck for Friday. I really hope it goes well, good luck Paul, Olive and all the connections. It’s won two from two this season and hopefully it will be three from three.

"Cheltenham is, without a doubt, a week where I'll be on the sofa at home watching all of the action.

"I've been to Cheltenham and had a runner, with Augusta Kate, at the Festival. It was amazing to go into the parade ring, with the other owners and trainers it was brilliant. It's a side you don't usually see as a punter - it was brilliant to experience."