Alan Shearer’s horse won at Cheltenham back in 2005, but he missed the race (Image: Getty)
This week, the will have the attention of most enthusiasts. For some, that dedication might even come at the cost of work – a sentiment is all too familiar with.
The former star has owned a couple of horses over the years, one of which pulled off an astonishing victory at Prestbury Park as a massive 50-1 underdog in 2005. However, Shearer was unable to witness the moment firsthand, as he was busy playing in fourth-round fixture against . Eager to know the outcome, he discreetly took his phone into the dressing room toilet and had friends stationed in a hospitality box at St James’ Park, ready to send signals about the result. “I once had a winner at Cheltenham, not at the Festival, but Trials Day, which was a 50/1 shot,” the 54-year-old revealed to . “Unfortunately, I was actually playing that day at St James’s 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,” he added. “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!”
Shearer, pictured at the Festival in 2006, is a big racing fan (Image: Getty)
Akilak competed in 63 races throughout his career, winning 11 of them. A few weeks after his shock victory on Trials Day in 2005, he secured a third-place finish in the Triumph Hurdle. The gelding eventually retired in 2011.
Shearer wasn’t away from racehorse ownership for long. In 2015, he acquired a share in Augusta Kate, a talented mare he co-owned alongside TV presenters and fellow supporters , golfer Lee Westwood, and businessman Graham Wylie. This venture brought him back into the excitement of the parade ring.
“I’ve been to Cheltenham with Augusta Kate, at the Festival. It was amazing to go into the parade ring, with the other owners and trainers, it was brilliant,” Shearer admitted. “It’s a side you don’t usually see as a punter – it was brilliant to experience.”
Shearer missed Akilak’s win in 2005 as he was playing for Newcastle while the race was on (Image: Getty)
Though he doesn’t have a horse running at this year’s Festival, his name will still be present on Gold Cup day. A gelding named Shearer, a tribute to the all-time top scorer in Premier League history, is set to compete, rather fittingly, in the St James’ Place Festival Hunter Chase.
“There’s a special horse running on Friday, trained by Paul Nicholls, called Shearer – fantastic. I mean, Shearer, running in the St James’, come on,” the Magpies legend beamed. “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.”
The nine-year-old contender, currently available at 10/1 odds, will be making its Cheltenham debut under the guidance of Nicholls’ daughter, Olive.