AS a lifelong Man United fan, Ged Mason knows a thing or two about winning a treble.
And his horse Clan Des Obeaux is chasing an historic hat-trick of his own in today’s King George VI Chase at Kempton.
The Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old has wowed the Boxing Day crowds for the past two years.
The star chaser, who Mason owns in partnership with Reds legend Sir Alex Ferguson and Paul Barber, is the favourite to bag a third in a row.
A further victory would match Wayward Lad’s tally of three King Georges – with just Kauto Star and Desert Orchid having won more.
Mason grinned: “Wow. Just thinking about being in that sort of company is incredible.
“As a horse owner, the dream is to make a bit of history and create a legacy long after I’ve gone.
“Mind you, they’ll know Sir Alex’s name and Mr Barber’s name, but they’ll look at Ged Mason and say who the hell is he!”
But Mason, 56, has become one of the most successful owners in jumps racing in recent years, and he has developed quite a reputation for big celebrations.
He soaked Fergie in coffee when cheering home their horse Give Me A Copper at Wincanton and he has roared home Clan every time he has run.
And for the Salford native, a King George treble would top United’s famous comeback in 1999.
He said: “The first horse Sir Alex and I bought together was What A Friend and he went on to win Grade 1s at Leopardstown and Aintree. We’ve been very lucky together.
“I’ve been spoiled with some really good ones, so if you can’t celebrate when they win then when can you?
“At Wincanton last year I forgot that we’d just been offered a coffee – so I spilled mine on Alex when Give Me A Copper was winning.
“He actually reminded me the other day that I still owe him for his dry-cleaning bill!
“For Alex, no question the United treble would mean more.
“But for myself and the Barbers, it would have to be a King George treble – that’s hard to admit!”
He continued: “It would be amazing if we could make a bit of history, but whatever happens we are so proud of Clan to have already won it twice.
“I can dine out on that for the rest of my life.”
Mind you, celebrating a King George win doesn’t always mean dining out on champagne and a slap-up meal.
Mason joked: “Last year I was staying in Cheltenham so we went back there to celebrate properly.
“But after his first win, I caught a lift with Paul and we were driving back to Somerset and we were all starving, but there was nowhere to stop off.
“We ended up celebrating in a McDonalds with a burger and a coffee. It was just us and the cleaning lady, so I gave her a tip and ended up cleaning the floor for her.
“Not the most salubrious of celebrations but we had a good laugh.”
And with two King George trophies on the mantelpiece already, Mason isn’t feeling the pressure – he’s enjoying every second.
“As the day has got closer it’s got more and more exciting,” he said.
“It looks like it’s going to be a tight race. It will be interesting to see him take on Cyrname again and Santini has been thrown into the mix.
“Clan came out of his run at Haydock in good form. Some of the horses against him have run better than him at Cheltenham.
“But we know he loves it around Kempton. This is his course and this is his race.”
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to SE. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
