Sir Alex Ferguson makes record-breaking purchase despite admitting late wife Cathy would have 'gone mad'

Sir Alex Ferguson has made a record-breaking purchase, despite admitting his late wife would have 'gone mad' over his spending.

After managing Man United for 26 years and winning everything there is to win in club football, Sir Alex Ferguson is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers of all time.

Holding such a high-pressure position for such a long time required Ferguson to find a way to unwind, and horse racing provided that escape.

The 82-year-old owns over 30 racehorses, as well as a stud operation in Hemel Hempstead.

Now, the Scot has dropped a record-breaking fee on Caldwell Potter, widely regarded as one of the best novice hurdlers around after winning at Grade 1 level in December.

The former United boss is co-owner of the horse along with friends Ged Mason, John Hales and Peter Done, after the group spent €740,000 (£633,000) at auction at Tattersalls in Ireland.

Bloodstock agent Anthony Bromley secured the Gordon Elliot-trained horse for a fee that is a record for a jumps show horse at a public auction.

It's not the first time in recent months that Ferguson has spent big on his passion.

In November he bought two horses, a pointer from Ireland and another horse from France for fees of £450,000 and £200,000 respectively.

Speaking to Gambling Zone, Ferguson admitted that his late wife Cathy, who passed away in October 2023, would not have approved of his spending.

He said: "I had to write quite a large cheque. One of my sons said, ‘What are you doing?’

"My late wife would have gone mad at me if she was alive if she knew the amount of money involved! I must say at the time when I started it was a big release for me."

Despite suffering a health scare in 2018, Ferguson appears to be in good health and is indulging in his passion more than ever.