Nistelrooy off to races for £4m
UNITED nut John Magnier has bought Van Nistelrooy for £4.36million…and is planning to run him in next year's 2000 Guineas at Newmarket!
But Reds fans need not fear that Sir Alex Ferguson has done one of the worst football deals in history - this Van Nistelrooy has four legs, and is just two years old.
Racehorse magnate Magnier has named his latest red-hot thoroughbred - the world's most expensive yearling - after the Dutch goal ace.
The Irish millionaire, who together with legendary gambler J.P. McManus is United's second biggest shareholder, badgered their pal Fergie to ask Ruud for permission to name the colt after him.
Said van Nistelrooy - the player that is, not the horse: "I am very honoured. I didn’t know much about racing before I came to England but the players often have team days at the races.
"I am getting more into it now, and will be backing Van Nistelrooy when he runs."
Ruud is in exalted company - the only other people after whom Magnier has named horses are great astronomer Galileo, musical genius Mozart, Indian cricket god Sachin Tendulkar and all-time football great Johann Cruyff.
But Ladbroke's PR director Mike Dillon, a close associate of Magnier, said: "John loves van Nistelrooy as a player - he is really taken with him.
"Perhaps I should make him favourite for the 2000 Guineas next season now!"
It is early days for the horse, which will be trained by Aidan O'Brien at his Ballydoyle stables and which is co-owned by West Ham fan Michael Tabor. But the plan is to blood him in a couple of races in Ireland this year - and if he lives up to his impeccable breeding, to put him out in the 2000 Guineas in the Spring.
Submit your opinion
More Manchester United news.
UNITED nut John Magnier has bought Van Nistelrooy for £4.36million…and is planning to run him in next year's 2000 Guineas at Newmarket!
But Reds fans need not fear that Sir Alex Ferguson has done one of the worst football deals in history - this Van Nistelrooy has four legs, and is just two years old.
Racehorse magnate Magnier has named his latest red-hot thoroughbred - the world's most expensive yearling - after the Dutch goal ace.
The Irish millionaire, who together with legendary gambler J.P. McManus is United's second biggest shareholder, badgered their pal Fergie to ask Ruud for permission to name the colt after him.
Said van Nistelrooy - the player that is, not the horse: "I am very honoured. I didn’t know much about racing before I came to England but the players often have team days at the races.
"I am getting more into it now, and will be backing Van Nistelrooy when he runs."
Ruud is in exalted company - the only other people after whom Magnier has named horses are great astronomer Galileo, musical genius Mozart, Indian cricket god Sachin Tendulkar and all-time football great Johann Cruyff.
But Ladbroke's PR director Mike Dillon, a close associate of Magnier, said: "John loves van Nistelrooy as a player - he is really taken with him.
"Perhaps I should make him favourite for the 2000 Guineas next season now!"
It is early days for the horse, which will be trained by Aidan O'Brien at his Ballydoyle stables and which is co-owned by West Ham fan Michael Tabor. But the plan is to blood him in a couple of races in Ireland this year - and if he lives up to his impeccable breeding, to put him out in the 2000 Guineas in the Spring.
Submit your opinion
More Manchester United news.
