
Horses on parade as Sandown honours John Hales
Hales died in January at the age of 85 but his influence in racing has been felt consistently over the past decades with his famous yellow silks sported by some of the most popular National Hunt horses.
In recent years Hales joined forces with the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Ged Mason, and both were on hand to present the special award to Hales' widow Pat and daughter Lisa at the annual presentations which preceded the action on the final day of the season.
Former Manchester United manager Ferguson paid tribute to his friend and his love of grey horses and said: 'He was a fantastic man with a great eye for a horse. He loved his grey horses and I don't know why he did, but he had an obsession with grey horses and some of them were fantastic.
'He was a great mind and a kind man and we'll miss him. His passions were his horses and Aston Villa and he was a winner. He loved the sport no matter how they performed but he liked to win.'
Mason added: 'It was a great tribute by Sandown to give us the opportunity to remember what a great man John Hales was and not just to his friends and family, but also to racing and the wider racing community.
'His achievements are second to none and it's easier to say what races he hasn't won rather than the ones he has one. Hopefully we can continue his legacy into the future with Sir Alex and with Pat and Lisa's enthusiasm alongside us, I'm sure we will.'
The great One Man is perhaps one of Hales' most famous horses, while he also won the Grand National with Neptune Collonges.
The Aintree hero – who famously struck in the narrowest of fashions in the hands of Daryl Jacob in 2012 – was amongst six of Hales' horses to be paraded before racing, with others taking a lap of the parade ring including Champion Chase hero Politologue and last year's Ryanair Chase winner Protektorat.
Lisa Hales added: 'Dad loved jump racing and he loved Sandown Park, so it is very touching that he will be remembered with the Sandown Park Special Award.
'From the days of the great One Man right up to L'Eau Du Sud's success in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at the end of last year, there were many great occasions for us at Sandown Park over years and it is a huge for the Hales family that dad is honoured in this way.'
In recent years, Hales – along with his co-owners – has been central to the continued success of Paul Nicholls' Ditcheat operation, with the 14-time champion trainer hoping this year's stars Caldwell Potter and Kalif Du Berlais continue to fly the flag for Hales' memory.
'What an enthusiast John was. To involve his family and his pals in those horses, they've had so much fun,' said Nicholls.
'It's an exciting time with Caldwell Potter and Kalif Du Berlais, with plenty of younger ones at home. Olly Murphy has a few nice ones for them as well as Dan (Skelton), so we're all looking forward to next season.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Sun
13 minutes ago
- The Sun
Man Utd on red alert with PSG ‘open to SELLING Champions League hero Gianluigi Donnarumma for bargain transfer fee'
MANCHESTER UNITED have been put on alert after hearing Paris Saint-Germain's bargain asking price for Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Red Devils are hunting for a new No.1 this summer as uncertainty continues around the future of current goalkeeper Andre Onana. 3 3 Onana joined the club in a £47.1m deal two years ago, but has endured a difficult time at Old Trafford, with reports suggesting the club are looking at replacing him. Man Utd have expressed interest in Donnarumma, 26, during his contract stand-off with the newly crowned Kings of Europe. Donnarumma, considered one of the best shot-stoppers in the world, has entered the final 12 months of his contract in the French capital. And now United's ears have perked after PSG set a €40m (£34m) asking price for Donnarumma, according to La Repubblica. With no extension agreed and financial terms unresolved, the club are open to selling him this summer. PSG are keen for the Italy international to stay, but he has reportedly been underwhelmed by the club's proposals so far. United boss Ruben Amorim is keen to bring in a new first-choice stopper, with the chance to sign Donnarumma too good to turn down. As well as winning the treble this season, he was also player of the tournament as Italy won Euro 2020. England fans will remember him for his heroics in the final at Wembley, which saw him save THREE penalties as Italy won. According to L'Equipe, the PSG goalkeeper has been vocal about the possibility of joining an English team during chats with his Italian team-mates. Former Man Utd boss Louis van Gaal launches scathing attack on old side while heaping praise on bitter rivals But Donnarumma has insisted he wants to stay at the Parc des Princes , despite reports. He said after Italy's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Moldova: "My priority is to stay at PSG. "I don't think there will be problems with the negotiations." Donnarumma joined PSG five years ago from AC Milan on a free transfer, and has made 154 appearances in all competitions for the French champions. Manchester City are also interested in Donnarumma as they look for a long-term replacement for club legend Ederson, who turns 32 before the start of next season. United, meanwhile, have also been interested in Aston Villa keeper Emi Martinez. 3


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd kicked while they're down by Leeds legend - 'Really, really poor!'
Stuart Dallas has given his opinion of Manchester United after the club suffered a record-low 15th-place finish in the Premier League and missed out on the Europa League title to Tottenham Stuart Dallas has said that Manchester United have been "really, really poor" this season, as the Red Devils lick their wounds from a devastating 2024/25 campaign. New boss Ruben Amorim was unable to turn the tide at Old Trafford after taking over from Erik ten Hag in November, guiding the club to a record-low 15th-place finish in the Premier League standings. While the Red Devils looked to save an otherwise catastrophic campaign via better performances in Europe, a 1-0 loss to a similarly struggling Tottenham Hotspur in last month's Europa League final only served as further embarrassment for the once-titans of English football. And now Dallas, who made a name for himself with Leeds United between 2015 and 2024, has given his synopsis as to what is going on at Old Trafford at present. Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football at the Leeds American Golf for the #RifeDontMiss putting challenge, he said: "It's mad as well to think that, isn't it? "The two clubs together are so far down the league. Spurs have obviously been decimated with injuries. It's been really, really difficult for them. "Their style of play, on their day when it clicks, they're a really, really good team. You can see what their DNA is, but Man Utd, on the other hand, I'm still yet to be convinced of what their actual DNA is. I don't see any change from a couple of things, but in general it's been really, really poor for them." Dallas also pondered whether a Europa League title was enough to argue that Spurs have had a successful season, given that the Lilywhites finished two places lower than United in the Premier League standings. He added: "It's mad to think that they were both European finalists as well and Spurs have obviously come out on top. "I don't know, is it a successful season for Tottenham? They've won the European Cup and they've got Champions League football. It's bragging rights over Arsenal. " Arsenal have obviously had a fantastic season. They've come second, but they haven't won a Cup and they're in the Champions League. Spurs have won a Cup and are in the Champions League." Spurs are currently on the hunt for a new manager in the wake of parting ways with Ange Postecoglou earlier this month, with Brentford boss Thomas Frank looking increasingly likely to take tenure at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for 2025/26. Manchester United, meanwhile, are currently undergoing major revamps to their current squad with hopes that a summer transfer window and a full pre-season campaign can be a game-changer for Amorim. The Red Devils have already struck a £62.5million deal for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha in the first of two windows, as they continue to look to sign Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo. United reportedly saw their initial £55m bid for Mebeumo rejected, but reports suggest that the club are still keen on landing the talent this summer. Elsewhere, the club are also currently linked with the likes of Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres and Barcelona shot stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. On the flip side, the club recently announced that Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof are among the stars on their way out the doors of Old Trafford as their contracts expire. Dallas was speaking exclusively to Mirror Football at the second #RifeDontMiss Challenge, celebrating the launch of the new RIFE Black Edition putters. To register for the final qualifier and be in with a chance of winning £50,000, sign up here. Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd have two transfer options on table after 'drastic Bryan Mbeumo U-turn'
Manchester United have a big decision to make in their pursuit of Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo after reportedly seeing their first bid for the player rejected A crossroads stands before Manchester United in their hunt to sign Brentford talisman Bryan Mbeumo this summer. And with transfer funds not exactly flowing at Old Trafford right now, it could prove definitive for their other investments in the coming months. United's opening offer of £55million for the player was reportedly turned down by Brentford. And though another bid is believed to be imminent, Ruben Amorim's side would do well to take stock of their options before launching a follow-up. Despite finishing at an all-time low of 15th in the Premier League and failing to qualify for Europe next term, United at least have some cards in their hand. That's after The Athletic reported Mbeumo, who was keen to join a Champions League club, now has his heart set on a move to Old Trafford despite interest from the likes of Arsenal and Newcastle. That U-turn, after both those clubs were linked with Mbeumo in January, tilts the transfer battle in United's favour. Tottenham have also been mooted as a suitor amid talks that Thomas Frank is set to take over in north London, though murmurs suggest Mbeumo values the United cause above Spurs' upcoming European adventure. It's a similar sequence of events that saw Amorim land Wolves talisman Matheus Cunha in such swift fashion. The Brazil international was keen to play for United above all else next term, underlining United still have serious pulling power despite their absence from European competition next season. It's believed the Bees are seeking upwards of £60m to part ways with their player, an almighty fee considering United already shelled out £62.5m for Cunha. But if the Red Devils want their man they may just have to suck it up. Man United's second option is to finance the deal by parting ways with Alejandro Garnacho, which many might deem an inevitability already this summer. Argentinian newspaper Ole has suggested AC Milan have opened talks to sign Garnacho and are seeking a deal worth £50m. That's £15m short of United's supposed valuation of the player, though it may be enough to convince them, considering Amorim's difficult relationship with the 20-year-old. That sum also wouldn't quite cover the outlay required to recruit Mbeumo, who would come at a higher cost to the wage bill. However, it's a convenient route to offloading one troublesome asset while signing what would effectively be his replacement. Except Mbeumo plays almost exclusively on the right wing, while the majority of Garnacho's minutes are spent more centrally and on the left flank. It also poses the question as to what lies in store for Cunha and whether he's intended to start up front, behind the striker or out wide. Amad Diallo has just started coming into his own under Amorim, and he too operates almost solely off the right. After several years of overcoming injuries, managerial changes and loan spells away from Old Trafford, it would be a shame to see the 22-year-old's progress halted now. Yet United are in dire need of results now and can ill afford to bid their time on the hope of what may come down the line. In that sense, Mbeumo would be a proven Premier League upgrade based on what's been seen of the player in recent seasons. The Cameroon international finished this season with 20 goals and eight assists and appeared in each of Brentford's 38 league games. But he wouldn't be the first big investment to impress elsewhere before falling flat under the increased pressure at United. The Red Devils will be expected to fork out a heavy sum regardless of how Mbeumo arrives at the club. But the manner in which they balance the books could play a major role in how far the club can afford to invest elsewhere this summer.