The Glazer family's takeover of Manchester United was a seminal moment in the club's history. While the team would continue to experience plenty of success on the pitch for the first few years of their ownership, they have dropped off quite a bit over the last decade or so.
Many people put that down to the way the club has been run. Plenty of money has been spent on transfers, but other key areas have been neglected. The Glazers take dividends out of the club each year, with a lack of investment meaning that the stadium and training ground have all but fallen into disrepair. That is without even mentioning the continuous poor appointments they have made off the pitch.
The club's supporters certainly wish the ownership group had never come to Old Trafford. Of course, the whole thing was sparked off a dispute over the ownership of a race horse.
Rock of Gibraltar dies aged 23
The story of Rock of Gibraltar is well-known at this stage. At the turn of century, the horse became the first in racing history to record seven consecutive group one wins.
The horse was owned by John Magnier and his family, who also happened to be major shareholders in Manchester United. As a result, they entered into an agreement that Alex Ferguson would receive 50% of any race winnings that were earned. The animal even raced in the Manchester United colours.
25 May 2002; Alex Ferguson and jockey Mick Kinnane after sending out Rock of Gibraltar to win the Entenmann's Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh Racecourse in Kildare. Photo by Sportsfile
However, a dispute soon arose over the ownership of the horse. When it was put out to stud in 2002, Ferguson claimed that he owned 50% of the stallion and was therefore entitled to half of the stud fees. The Magnier family claimed this was not the case, with the Scot eventually taking them to the Irish high court. He was seeking over £100million in compensation, half of the horse's perceived worth at the time.
John Magnier and JP McManus, who were part of the Coolmore ownership group and major shareholders in United, soon brought the dispute into the club. They hired a private investigator to look into the club's transfer dealings, many of which involved the agency where Alex Ferguson's son worked.
Magnier and McManus would also soon sell their shares in United, which amounted to a 28.7% stake. Malcolm Glazer bought them, setting him up for a full takeover soon after.
It has been suggested that the pair may not have been willing to sell were it not for the dispute around Rock of Gibraltar.
The matter was eventually settled out of court, with Ferguson receiving a rumoured £2.5million. It was agreed that neither of the involved parties would discuss the finer details of the settlement in public.
In his autobiography, this were the only remarks made by the Scot in relation to the dispute.
Rock of Gibraltar was a wonderful horse; he became the first in the northern hemisphere to win seven consecutive Group 1 races, beating Mill Reef’s record.
He ran in my colours under an agreement I had with the Coolmore racing operation in Ireland. My understanding was that I had a half-share in the ownership of the horse; theirs was that I would be entitled to half the prize money.
But it was resolved. The matter was closed when we reached a settlement agreeing that there had been a misunderstanding on both sides.
Obviously, there was a potential clash between my racing interests and the ownership of the club, and when a man stood up at the AGM and insisted that I resign, there was awkwardness for me.
I have to say that at no point was I side-tracked from my duties as manager of Manchester United. I have an excellent family lawyer in Les Dalgarno and he managed the process on my behalf.
It didn’t affect my love of racing and I am on good terms now with John Magnier, the leading figure at Coolmore.
Rock of Gibraltar has spent the last two decades in stud, with it being confirmed earlier today that the horse had died at the age of 23.
ROCK OF GIBRALTAR 1999 - 2022
World Champion 3-Year-Old of 2002 Rock of Gibraltar passed away last night due to heart failure at the age of 23.https://t.co/l7dFH98MGs pic.twitter.com/RHPqRhaP7L— Coolmore (@coolmorestud) October 24, 2022
Sad to hear that Rock of Gibraltar has passed away at the age of 23. He was a magnificent racehorse. His win in the Grand Criterium at Longchamp remains one of the most startling examples of push-button acceleration that you'll ever see in a Group 1. pic.twitter.com/GNUhfXokhe
— Kevin Blake (@kevinblake2011) October 24, 2022
RIP Rock of Gibraltar, the horse at the centre of the Ferguson v Magnier/McManus row that led to the Glazers taking over Manchester United. Won the 2000 Guineas during halftime of the 2002 FA Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea.
— John Brewin (@JohnBrewin_) October 24, 2022
It may be one of the all-time great racehorses, but Rock of Gibraltar will forever be associated with bringing the Glazers to Manchester United.
SEE ALSO: Ranking Every Nation's Home Kit At The 2022 FIFA World Cup
