Former Premier League manager and horse racing owner, Harry Redknapp, looks ahead to the Cheltenham Festival exclusively with BetVictor, giving his thoughts on main Festival hope Shakem Up’Arry, as well as his favourite memories of the Festival.
Cheltenham Festival Memories:
Looking back on his earliest and fondest memories of the Cheltenham Festival, Redknapp described the atmosphere as being “like a Champions League final”, stating that he’d rather a day out at the races than at a football match.
“What makes the Cheltenham Festival so special is the atmosphere. Every race is like a Champions League final and the entire crowd is full of excitement. The roar when the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle goes off is just so special. I love a day out at Cheltenham and the atmosphere is what really makes it. The Irish come over and everybody has a great time. It is a fantastic spectacle.
“When I look back at past Festivals, the great rides always spring to mind. You’ve got the likes of Sea Pigeon winning and John Francome riding him. Desert Orchid and Dawn Run are another two that always spring to mind. There have been some incredible races over the years.
“The first time I went was a long while ago now! When I was a footballer we didn’t really go racing. I remember taking the players for a day out and I used to use it as a team building exercise. When I was a manager back in the day, every football club would do a day at Cheltenham. Every team in England would be there at some point over the four days.
“I really just love the game of horse racing. If you asked me whether I’d rather a day out at Newbury races or a football match, I’d choose Newbury. I love the atmosphere and the buzz. The night before I go racing I’m like a kid who’s excited for a school trip. I like the racing crowd and I like punters. I always love every minute of the spectacle of a day out at the races.”
Thoughts on this year’s Festival:
Turning his attention to this year, Redknapp was full of praise for Willie Mullins and stable star Galopin Des Champs, whom he selected as the one horse at the Festival, other than his own, that he would want to own.
“If I could own one horse at this year’s Cheltenham Festival it would be Galopin Des Champs. Everyone wants him to win the Gold Cup and he looks the horse to beat again this year, having won last year’s renewal.
“I think the sport might actually benefit from Willie Mullins’ dominance because it means everyone else has to raise their game. He’s a fantastic trainer so people send their horses to him, what can you do about that? Everyone wants a horse with him and I’m no exception to that rule, I’d love to have a horse with Willie Mullins.
“Everyone wants to go to Cheltenham and have a horse there with a chance. He seems to produce so many horses that go and win at Cheltenham every year, so of course you’d want to go with him. He’s a maestro at what he does and he’s really kicked on again in the last few years. I just hope that the British trainers can get a few winners on the board as well this year, but it is hard to see Willie not dominating once again.”
Shakem Up’Arry:
Redknapp also spoke on his star horse Shakem Up’Arry, who he will be hoping can follow up on his win at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day to land Harry his first Festival winner. With the horse also entered into the Grand National, Redknapp spoke on his memories of the historic race and how it would feel to triumph at Aintree, claiming that he would rather win the National than the Gold Cup.
“I was gutted that I couldn’t go to Cheltenham on New Year’s Day when Shakem Up’Arry won. I didn’t think he would win and I didn’t think he would beat Stage Star. I watched it on the TV and me and Sandra were jumping round the living room watching him win. We couldn’t believe it – it was just a great feeling.
“Having a winner at the Festival would be amazing, but the nerves when you have a runner are similar to those you have as a football manager. The nerves kick in and I worry about the horse at every fence. They are great animals and I love them. The horses get treated so well. You only need to go down to a yard to see the love and care that they receive on a daily basis – it is incredible.
“Shakem Up’Arry will likely have to win at the Festival to get the penalty to get into the Grand National. It would be amazing to have a runner in contention for the National turning into the elbow at Aintree. Growing up, my nan worked for a bookmaker, and she would take all the bets from the old girls in the street for the Grand National.
“We all used to sit round the radio on Grand National day and listen to it. My mum once had the winner of the sweepstake where she worked – she had Foinavon the year he won it at 100/1! The National is always special. It goes back a long way with the likes of Devon Loch and E.S.B, then of course Red Rum. It really is special. If I had to pick between winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup or the Grand National, I think I’d choose the National. I know the Gold Cup is run by better horses and is a higher class, but I grew up with the Grand National and it would just be fantastic to win it.
“I never try to give the jockey any advice when I’m in the parade ring before a race. That is like being a football manager and having a punter trying to tell you what to do with the team. I’ve had a few of them over the years! That is actually where the name Shakem Up’Arry came from. There was a guy who used to sit behind the dugout at West Ham who would shout at me for 90 minutes every game, ‘shake ’em up Harry!’, so we had to call him that.
“My blue, white and red racing silks were basically just a mix of colours that I thought wouldn’t upset anybody! I wanted a bit of everything from Portsmouth to Spurs and Bournemouth. It is just a combination of the colours of the clubs I have been at to keep everyone happy.”
Other Festival runners:
Redknapp also has The Jukebox Man entered in the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle and the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, with Bowtogreatness entered in the Ultima Handicap Chase, National Hunt Challenge Cup and Kim Muir Challenge Cup. He gave his thoughts on both horses’ chances at the Festival.
“Everything Ben Pauling trains at the moment seems to turn to gold! We’re hoping that we’ll be heading into the Festival with a few proper chances.
“We’ve got The Jukebox Man who Ben likes a lot and he is still convinced that Bowtogreatness can win round Cheltenham. He just came up short at Kempton the other day, but Ben still feels that there’s a lot of improvement in him and he’ll come on for that run. With those two and Shakem Up’Arry, I’m hoping we’ll head to the Festival with a real chance!”