Tyson Fury could potentially be ringside to watch his first horse, the well-backedBig Gypsy King, whom he owns in partnership with manager Spencer Brown, run at Newmarket on Friday night.
The two-year-old filly, who is trained locally by Darryll Holland, makes her first appearance for the former world heavyweight boxing champion in the Jenningsbet Newmarket British EBF Maiden Stakes (5.45), won famously by the mighty Frankel 14 years ago.
While it is highly unlikely there is another Frankel lurking in the nine-strong field, some potential heavyweight opponents await Big Gypsy King in the form of Godolphin’s unraced Arabian Poet and the Aidan O’Brien-trained Scandinavia, who is entered in next month’s Group 1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh.
Big Gypsy King has attracted market support and is now no bigger than 25-1 with bet365, having been as big as a 125-1 on Friday morning, and jockey Neil Callan said: “It’s nice to be riding for a British world champion boxer. It’s also nice to see a British world champion boxer getting involved in racing.”
Tyson Fury: former world heavyweight boxing champion is expected to be in attendanceCredit: Nathan Stirk
He added: “I don’t know too much about the filly, but I hope she runs well for him and he can see what a wonderful sport racing is. If he enjoys it perhaps he’ll get a few more horses.”
Big Gypsy King, a daughter of German Derby winner Sea The Moon, is bred to be useful.
However, Holland warned earlier this week that she might need her first run and that he expects her to develop into a better three-year-old next season.
Fury is set for a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk on December 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the undisputed world heavyweight title after losing on a split decision to the Ukrainian in May.
Fury’s distant relatives include the bare-knuckle boxers Uriah Burton and Bartley Gorman, both considered ‘King of the Gypsies’, hence his own nickname of the ‘Gypsy King’.
Spotlight comment
Big Gypsy King
Yard going better now, following a poor first half of the year, but is 0-18 with 2yos here; likely this half-sister to a winner in Hungary is best watched on debut.
Big Gypsy King17:45 Newmarket (July)
View Racecard
Jky: Neil Callan Tnr: Darryll Holland
Four other famous owners with sports links
Sir Alex Ferguson
Famously owned a share in Rock Of Gibraltar, which sparked a row with co-owners Coolmore back in the early 2000s, but Manchester United's legendary manager has invested plenty into racehorses since his retirement. He has formed a number of alliances with other powerful owners, including Ged Mason and John Hales, with the trio currently owning Grade 1 and Cheltenham Festival winners Protektorat and Monmiral. He is also part-breeder and owner of Spirit Dancer, who copped a huge $2 million when winning the Neom Turf Cup in February.
Lee Westwood
The golf legend has always stressed his passion for racing and has owned several racehorses over the years. Perhaps his most famous horse was Yorkhill, despite only running a couple of times in Westwood's colours. The quirky chestnut, who was once single figures for a Gold Cup and a Champion Hurdle, had seemingly lost his way when Westwood purchased him from Graham Wyle. However, following a switch of yards from Willie Mullins to Sandy Thompson, Yorkhill rolled back the years to raise the roof when winning the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle.
Tony Parker
The NBA superstar is part-owner of Ramatuelle, who is trained in France by Christopher Head and finished third in the 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes this season. Parker made his name for the San Antonio Spurs, so it is no surprise to see Ramatuelle running in the same white and black colours as the NBA franchise.
Antoine Griezmann
The Atletico Madrid and France goalscorer had one eye on Newcastle's All-Weather Championships on Good Friday, as his horse Hooking lined up in the Easter Classic. There was money for the French raider too, backed in from 14-1 to 15-2 and he rewarded each-way punters with a solid display to finish third off a mark of 106. Hooking has since finished fourth in a Group 2 in France.
Read these next:
'I said he might be special - he was incredible' - looking back at Frankel's debut 14 years ago
Sixteen horses remain in contention for star-studded Juddmonte International at York
A red-hot Yorkshire Oaks: assessing the key contenders for the Group 1 contest
Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.
