In an exclusive interview with BOYLE Sports, Bryan Robson spoke about his lifelong love of horse racing, recalling cherished Cheltenham Festival memories from West Brom and Manchester United days, team bonding trips, a post-title win celebration at Chester races, Sir Alex Ferguson's Haydock ban, and regular meet-ups with Alan Brazil.
Robson also shared global racing experiences including the Melbourne Cup and Breeders' Cup , praising Cheltenham's serious jumps focus and unique Irish atmosphere.
On football, Robson highlighted Hearts ' strong position in the Scottish Premiership, insisting they can realistically win the title despite the Old Firm's experience advantage. and spoke about how he fondly remembered Celtic's generous support for his testimonial and the intense appeal of Old Firm derbies, while confirming no interest in a move to Celtic during his playing career.
Cheltenham
Cheltenham Memories
The Cheltenham Festival was always great. I’ve been going to the races since I was at West Brom with the first team lads, maybe twice a year. We would go down to Worcester races. The bonding and the camaraderie of a race day is really good for team spirit. I learned that from West Brom . It got me into horses, and I've actually owned a few, but it's a great day.
At United , we had a few days down at the races. In fact, when we won the title, that was the next day after winning the title. We all went to the Chester races. We had a great day. Cheltenham is great, and I go more or less every year, and it's enjoyable because I see some older players, and I go with friends, and it’s always a great day out. The one old player who I'm guaranteed to see is Alan Brazil !
Ince Loved Cheltenham
Paul Ince was right into it at Manchester United , but none of the other lads were really that interested in horses.
Global Horse Racing Interest
Banned From Haydock
Sir Alex banned me from going to Haydock , which was 20 minutes from the training ground. It was always on a Friday, but I used to say to him, I’ve got a mate in the box, I drink orange juice all day, and I leave before the last race, so I’m back home in good time. I still don't think he ever believed me. He does now because we go racing together every now and again. I tell him the same story, and he goes, yeah, okay, I believe you now.
Global Racing Interest
I was fortunate enough to go to Magic Millions in January to see my daughter because she lives over in Australia and trains racehorses. It was completely different at the sales, and the races were great. I’ve been to the Melbourne Cup , and fortunately, I’ve been to the Breeders Cup in Chicago , so I’ve been to a few places around the world to follow the racing.
Cheltenham Stand
They don't take the jumps as seriously as we do in this country and in Ireland. It’s totally different, and it's a bit different because half the crowd are Irish, and that makes it a great atmosphere at Cheltenham . Everybody takes the jumps really seriously, whereas in the USA, Dubai and Australia , it's all about the flat season.
Scottish Premiership
Can Hearts Win The League?
Hearts have done terrific to be as competitive as they have been, but the Old Firm clubs will not give up. It depends on how Hearts handle the end of the season because Celtic and Rangers have done it before. They’ve experienced it. But Hearts have got a great chance because they’ve put themselves in a great position.
It'll be interesting watching the top of the Scottish Premiership this year. I’ll go one step further. Can Hearts win the title? Yes, they can.
Career Reflection
Celtic Interest
There was interest from Celtic when I was getting older, and I was going to Manchester United , but I never spoke to anybody at Celtic about moving up there.
My Testimonial
Celtic were terrific for my testimonial. About 20,000 Celtic fans came down, and they made it a great atmosphere.
Old Firm
I think players always love the Old Firm games. Even fans of other clubs, and I think a lot of managers and players watch these games because they know it’s such a fierce rivalry up there, and it holds people’s attention.
I ticked off a lot of big games playing against people like Barcelona and all the big boys like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal. We had some great games against all those clubs, so I’m pretty happy with what I did as a player. To play for your country and then play against Scotland too, that was a special game to play in.
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