There is a close connection between football and horse racing.
Several former players, including Kevin Keegan, Michael Owen, Joe Cole and Wayne Rooney, have had an ownership stake in racehorses, while Sir Alex Ferguson has won major races with the likes of Clan Des Obeaux, Protektorat and Cheltenham Festival winner Monmiral.
Not to be outdone, former Tottenham, West Ham and QPR manager Harry Redknapp has also made his name in racehorse ownership. And, like Manchester United great Ferguson, he has a Cheltenham Festival winner in near namesake Shakem Up’arry.
So can the eleven-year-old bring Redknapp more Cheltenham joy at the 2025 edition of the festival?
Shaking It Up
Despite having a Prestbury Park win on his CV, Shakem Up’arry is considered to be little more than an outsider in the Cheltenham 2025 odds.
Those horse racing betting odds place the eleven-year-old as a 25/1 chance in the Plate Handicap Chase, as well as a 33/1 shot in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase – Redknapp’s horse is currently declared for both races, with a decision to be taken on which renewal Shakem Up’arry will contest closer to the time.
The lengthy odds may be considered value by some considering the bay’s exploits at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, where he provided Redknapp with his first ever big meeting winner.
Off a generous weight of 11-5 in the Plate Handicap Chase, Shakem Up’arry was prominent at the front throughout the two-mile, four-furlong race, before taking up the lead one fence from home.
Ben Jones, in the saddle, ensured his charge cleared the last obstacle safely, before setting off gamely for the challenging run-in up the hill of Cheltenham’s New Course.
Crebilly, with a 3lb weight advantage, made good ground in the closing stretch, but couldn’t quite catch Shakem Up’arry, who was flat out as he crossed the finishing line.
The win sparked jubilant scenes in the Redknapp camp, with Harry describing it as an ‘amazing day’. He’ll be hoping for another later this month…
Veterans Day
At the age of eleven, Shakem Up’arry is a little on the ‘vintage’ side as a top-level chaser.
So much so that he’s eligible for the veteran’s circuit, where he was given a run-out by trainer Ben Pauling earlier this season; unfortunately, Shakem Up’arry clipped a fence and fell when in mid-division.
His other run this term was also a disappointment, finishing fifth of six in another veterans’ handicap chase at Warwick in February and some 17 lengths behind the winner.
So Shakem Up’arry will have to find another gear to compete in either of his Cheltenham engagements, despite Redknapp insisting that his horse is ‘working as well as ever’ in preparation for his festival return.
The main danger in the Plate Handicap Chase will likely be old foe Crebilly, who will carry 6lb less than when he was second to Redknapp’s charge at the festival last year.
In the Kim Muir Handicap Chase, meanwhile, Shakem Up’arry will be asked to carry the top weight of 12st. Johnnywho, who has competed at Grade 2 level this term, is handicapped 5lb less and is therefore the obvious danger.
Redknapp was no stranger to masterminding underdog victories in his days as a football manager, so he’ll be hoping that Pauling and Jones can do likewise once again at the Cheltenham Festival.
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