Harry Redknapp celebrates emotional Cheltenham win and shares story of nan being 'locked up'

Harry Redknapp celebrates emotional Cheltenham win and shares story of nan being 'locked up'

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 14/03/2024

- 20:12

Famous football managers Harry Redknapp and Sir Alex Ferguson celebrated wins on Thursday at Cheltenham.

Harry Redknapp has called Shakem Up'Arry's Cheltenham win "one of the greatest days" of his life while sharing a touching story about how his nan helped get him into horse racing in the first place.

It was a day for former football managers at Cheltenham on Thursday as Redknapp and Sir Alex Ferguson ended the day with three winners between them.


Sir Alex has been a long-standing racing fan and owner and realised his ambition of winning at Cheltenham twice in the space of 40 minutes.

The Manchester United icon was seen celebrating with Sam Allardyce and Tyrone from Coronation Street.

Then it was the turn of Redknapp in the Trustatrader Plate with cameras panning to the former Tottenham and West Ham boss as Shakem Up-Arry raced towards the line in the lead.

Shakem Up'Arry won the Trustatrader Plate for Harry Redknapp

Shakem Up'Arry won the Trustatrader Plate for Harry Redknapp

GETTY

The 77-year-old celebrated wildly as Shakem Up-Arry crossed the line and was in disbelief when speaking to ITV.

"To have a winner at Cheltenham... I've watched it all my life, and always dreamed of it," Redknapp said.

"To have a winner - one of the greatest days of my life."

Redknapp also explained how his nan was the person who got him into horse racing.

He added: "My nan got me into racing, she was a bookies runner back in the day.

"She'd get locked up in Poplar Police Station in the East End of London because it was illegal in those days.

"I love the horses, I love the festival, I love the people. It means so much."

Redknapp's Ben Pauling-trained horse had a disctinctive name linked to the former Tottenham and West Ham manager.

And he explained the name came from someone who used to shout at him during his time in charge of the Hammers.

"I used to have a guy stand behind me at West Ham when I was manager," Redknapp said.

"For 90 minutes, he’d shout right behind my dugout, 'shake 'em up, 'Arry, shake 'em up, 'Arry'.

Harry Redknapp celebrated with his horse

Harry Redknapp celebrated with his horse

GETTY

"I used to come home on Saturday night after the game and all I could hear was this guy’s voice, 'shake 'em up 'Arry'.

"So I thought, when I get a horse, I’ve got to call it Shakem Up’Arry."

Sir Alex was equally shocked at his impressive result at the Festival and admitted it was a different joy to what he experienced in football.

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Harry Redknapp got into horse racing due to his nan

Harry Redknapp got into horse racing due to his nan

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"It's unbelievable, isn't it? It's a special place. This is like the Derby or the FA Cup final," he said.

"Of course it's not the same as winning at football, that was my life, I was immersed in that, this is what I do for pleasure so it's a different feeling.

"I don't have to worry about it, I leave that to the trainer."

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