Ian Wright is one of the most famous figures in world football, but his passion for sport branches out further than his love for the beautiful game.
Arsenal’s former all-time leading scorer has a passion for horse racing, and that has seen him follow in the footsteps of stars such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Michael Owen by owning racehorses.
Sports and racing are typically closely intertwined, with that being evident in North America too, with stars from the worlds of NBA and NHL having shared in runners lining up in Kentucky Derby qualifying races.
But, where did Wright’s love for horse racing come from, and how has he got on with horses that he has owned?
Passion For Racing
Wright spoke about his love for all things racing during an interview with legendary rider, and fellow Arsenal fan, AP McCoy during a Great British Racing marketing campaign.
The former Arsenal superstar also spoke glowingly about the legendary rider when handing over McCoy’s jockey’s championship in 2015, comparing the jockey to the Gunners team of 2003-04 due to his ability to perform under intense pressure in the biggest races on the calendar.
However, Wright would go on to have further interest in the sport after investing in a racehorse.
Investment into Racing
Wright would take his passion for racing to the next level in the 2010s, investing in the Crowd Racing Partnership. His most interesting runner during this period was the aptly named Born to Finish.
The equine would achieve notable wins on track with Jamie Osbourne, which included a period of dominance on the all-weather at Kempton, winning twice in a three-month period between 2017 and 2018. The vast majority of his best runs would come on the all-weather surface, winning on nine occasions, and placing in the top three on ten further occasions across his 50-race career.
Wright’s investment would remain in the horse after a couple of stable moves, with the runner eventually ending his career in the care of Camilla Poulton in December 2021.
However, Born To Finish would achieve little success on the turf, winning just once from 22 efforts, claiming prize money in the region of £3,700. Overall, the horse would turn out to be a decent investment for the Crowd Racing Partnership, totalling winnings of over £34,000 before being retired.
Continued Support of Racing
Despite only having shares in one runner, Wright continues to be a leading advocate for racing, having starred in multiple promotions for the BHA.
His most famous appearances came alongside McCoy in a series of hilarious challenges, pitting the two sporting legends against one another.
However, the challenge wasn’t without a humbling experience for the Gunners legend, as Wright was bested by McCoy in the ‘Couldn’t Hit a Barn Door’ challenge, which saw the stars the sporting icons attempting to shoot a ball through a stable door.
McCoy’s win was likely a highlight in the jockey’s post-riding career, as he would beat one of his favourite footballers in a challenge that would have been better suited to the former professional player.
No Future Plans For Further Investment
Despite Wright calling racehorse ownership a ‘really nice’ experience, there are no future plans for the Gunners legend to invest in another runner. Despite that, the former professional player remains an avid supporter of the sport, and is regularly seen at the races.
Wright is a typical presence during the Royal Ascot meeting, while his passion for jumps racing also ensures that he is a frequent visitor to the Cheltenham Festival every March.
Links Between Football and Racing
While Wright enjoyed limited success with his investment, there have been numerous Premier League greats that have hit the jackpot when investing. Michael Owen has been a prominent owner since hanging up his boots, with his best victories coming with Brown Panther.
The equine would land a major victory at Royal Ascot in the King George V Stakes, before later landing the Irish St. Leger and Dubai Gold Cup in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
Sir Alex Ferguson has been one of the most successful footballing figures to venture into racehorse ownership, winning Cheltenham Festival races with Protektorat, Monmiral, and Caldwell Potter.
However, this year’s Cheltenham Festival could mark a first for a football star-turned racehorse investor. Harry Redknapp landed a memorable success on Boxing Day with The Jukebox Man, and a historic target awaits the unbeaten chaser at Cheltenham in March, as he bids to win the iconic Gold Cup.
However, the eight-year-old will face intense competition in the biggest race on the jumps calendar, with previous champion Galopin Des Champs, Irish Gold Cup winner Fact To File and the re-opposing duo of Gaelic Warrior and Jango Baie ensuring that it is expected to be one the deepest renewals in recent memory.
