There has been a close relationship between horse racing and football throughout history, with stars from the Premier League typically being in attendance for major days on the equestrian calendar at Royal Ascot and Cheltenham.
Being able to watch high-quality horses strut their stuff on the grandest stage is a buzz for all those in attendance, but finding regular winners can often prove challenging. Therefore, it is always worth studying expert predictions here: twinspires.com/edge/racing/wagering/best-bets/
Arsenal players are no strangers on the racecourse, with some of the biggest stars in the club’s history being avid followers of racing. But, which players are typically in attendance at the track?
Ian Wright
There are few more respected ex-professional footballers than Ian Wright. The striker held the record for the most goals for Arsenal before Thierry Henry broke the record, and netted a staggering 287 goals in 581 league appearances for seven different clubs. His most prolific period came with the Gunners between 1991 and 1998, forming an important part of the 1997-98 double-winning team.
The legendary striker has been an avid follower of horse racing throughout his life, and also teamed up with Arsenal fan, and legendary ex-jockey, AP McCoy for promotional purposes with the Jockey Club.
Wright also got involved in racehorse ownership, purchasing shares in the aptly named Born To Finish. However, the venture would largely be an unsuccessful one, with the Dark Angel gelding winning just five times in 49 starts.
Thierry Henry
Perhaps Arsenal’s greatest ever player, Thierry Henry was regarded as one of the best players on the planet during his eight-year stay. The Frenchman was the most important player during Arsene Wenger’s time at the club, setting the record for the all-time number of goals for the Gunners with 228 in all competitions.
Henry won a record four Golden Boots during his time with Arsenal, with his most influential campaign coming in 2003-04 when the club went unbeaten through the Premier League season. Away from football, Henry has been a regular visitor to the racetrack in recent years, largely due in part to his friendship with NBA great Tony Parker.
Parker owned Ramatuelle, with Henry joining his friend at the track at Newmarket for the 1000 Guineas in 2024. However, the French-trained horse could only finish third in the first of the British Classics.
Ray Parlour
There are potentially few more passionate ex-Arsenal horse racing fans than Ray Parlour. The Romford Pele became a cult hero during his 12-year stay with the Gunners, playing over 460 games for the Gunners, scoring 32 times.
His stay in North London would be hugely productive, winning three Premier League titles and four FA Cups. His most famous moment in the Arsenal red came in the 2002 FA Cup Final, as Parlour scored from 30 yards out against Chelsea. Since retiring in 2007, the former midfielder has been a common guest on TalkSPORT, forming a bond with legendary host Alan Brazil.
The two would typically talk all things horse racing in their morning show, especially in the lead-up to the Cheltenham Festival. His love for the sport has also seen him venture into ownership and he claimed that Royal Ascot is his favourite sporting event of the year.
Alan Ball
One of the most iconic footballers to ever wear the red of Arsenal remains 1966 World Cup-winning midfielder Alan Ball.
The star played five years for the Gunners between 1971 and 1976 after joining on a then-record fee from Everton. Ball would achieve success on the field throughout his career, winning the First Division with Everton and he was nominated for four Ballon d’Ors.
However, away from the pitch, the midfielder was a very passionate racing fan, who gained huge success on track as an owner. One of his biggest moments came in 2004, as his runner Pic Up Sticks won the 2004 Emirates Airline Cup in Dubai.
Sir Chips Keswick
It hasn’t just been the stars on the field that have shown their passion for horse racing, with long-serving chairman Sir Chips Keswick also being a prominent figure in the sport. Keswick arrived at the Emirates after previously serving high roles at Hambros Bank and the Bank of England in June 2013.
He had previously worked at the club as a direction from 2005 before being promoted. During his time at the club, he oversaw Arsenal’s move to the Emirates Stadium.
However, in 2017, he revealed he ‘much preferred’ racing to football. Keswick would be a regular winner on the biggest stage during his time in the sport, winning the Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival with Present View in 2014. A second Festival success would arrive in 2023, with Your Wear It Well winning the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. The latter would give him a final major win before his passing in 2024.
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