Knockout debut! Tyson Fury enters Leger picture after impressive Doncaster win

Tyson Fury landed a knockout blow on the racecourse rather than in the ring on Sunday as the Rebel Racing-owned three-year-old made a successful debut at Doncaster.

Megan Nicholls’ mount, named after the two-time heavyweight world champion, defied odds of 20-1 in the 1m4f novice to run out an impressive length-and-a-half winner.

In February last year the boxer, who similarly boasts an unbeaten record with 30 wins and one tie with Deontay Wilder from 31 bouts, gave the owners permission to name the horse after him and the Richard Spencer-trained colt lived up to one of the boxer's nicknames by proving ‘2 Fast’ for his 13 rivals on Town Moor.

Watch: Tyson Fury's successful debut at Doncaster

A return to Doncaster could be in the offing later in the year with the St Leger seen as a potential target.

Phil Cunningham, owner and founder of Rebel Racing, said: “I’ve not had that much pleasure from seeing a horse win in a very long time.

“He was magnificent, delivered what we hoped he could and Megan gave him a super ride. He’s a special horse.

“I bought him as a foal at Tattersalls and he was just too big to run at two. The ground came right for him at Doncaster and he’s such a big horse with a huge stride.

“The objective is to run him in the St Leger and we’d like to give him another run beforehand.”

Trainer Richard Spencer with Rebel Racing's Phil Cunningham (right)

That prep run could come in Britain or France and Spencer was delighted with Tyson Fury's showing.

Spencer said: "It was a really pleasing debut and he'll come forward from that. We'll take each step as it comes but we could look at options here or in France.

"The Derby had been the original plan and we'd hoped to run him in a maiden in the spring. The Covid-19 situation put paid to that but the St Leger is certainly in the back of our minds as a target now."

Cunningham’s link with friend Joe Ricotta, who is involved in film and boxing promotion and one of Fury’s main sponsors, helped in securing the horse’s name and the Fury family watched the Doncaster win from afar.

Cunningham said: “He was so big as a foal and we had such high hopes for him, so he needed a great name, and what better name than that of the heavyweight champion of the world!

“Joe approached Tyson and he gave his permission. Weatherbys wanted the approval but Joe went one step better than that and we went down to meet Tyson in Hertfordshire and did it all by video.

“I messaged Joe on Sunday morning to tell him the horse was running and he rang me straight after the race to say they thought it was amazing.

"Tyson had watched the race with his dad and brothers and they’re going to come down to the yard when the coronavirus situation improves and meet him. Tyson will meet Tyson hopefully some time soon!”

Five other winners named after sports people

The Tullow Tank
One for rugby union fans as this dual Grade 1-winning hurdler is a homage to Ireland and Leinster flanker Sean O’Brien. The Tullow Tank, owned by Barry Connell, won top-level novice hurdles at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown in 2013 when trained by Philip Fenton.

This talented sprinter, named after Leeds United’s redoubtable manager Marcelo Bielsa, is a four-timer winner from seven starts. The Kevin Ryan-trained five-year-old, bred by Highbank Stud and now owned by King Power Racing, finished fifth in a conditions event at Haydock on Sunday.

Marcelo Bielsa: Kevin Ryan-trained sprinter is named after the Leeds bossCredit: Getty Images

This mare was a stable stalwart for trainer Denis Coakley and was named after the Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist and silver medal-winning rower. Rebecca Romero won five races and placed a further 15 times from 47 starts and her progeny have been suitably named Pedal Power and Laura’s Legacy.

Ballesteros
Named after legendary golfer Seve Ballesteros, this sprinter won nine races from 86 starts during a career that spanned six trainers and nine years. He finished fourth in the Prix de l’Abbaye in 2012 when trained by Brian Meehan.

Safina
Named after former women’s world number one tennis player Dinara Safina, this filly showed smart form for owner-breeders Cheveley Park Stud, notably finishing third in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot in 2010. The tennis theme has not ended there with Safina’s progeny named after other Russian players including Davydenko and Vesnina.

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