Tyson Fury Wants to Win the Grand National? Yeah, He's Actually Serious About This

By Lewis Barnett 14 July, 2025 6 mins read 248 Views

Listen, I've covered some wild career pivots in my time, but this one caught me completely off guard.

Tyson Fury - the same guy who danced around Deontay Wilder like a caffeinated butterfly - is now dead serious about conquering jumps racing. And honestly? After watching him pull off comeback after comeback in the ring, I'm not betting against him.

Hear the Summary

The Gypsy King's New Obsession

So here's what happened. Fury and his manager Spencer Brown just dropped £50,000 on two horses, sending them straight to trainer Jimmy Moffatt. This isn't some celebrity vanity project either - these are legitimate contenders with real potential.

Big Gypsy King (I mean, come on, that name is perfect) already proved herself by winning at Chelmsford back in May. But Fury's got his sights set way higher than flat racing.

The man wants National Hunt glory. He wants those iconic jumps. And frankly, knowing Fury's track record with impossible dreams... this could actually happen.

£50K Well Spent?

Jerry McGrath - who knows his stuff when it comes to bloodstock - snagged Cossack Chach for £36,000 at the Goffs UK October Sale last year. Two-time winner, solid pedigree, the works.

Then they grabbed Sea The Clouds for £14,000. Moffatt calls this one a "steal" at that price, and considering the horse already won at Cartmel (Fury's local track), he might be right.

Poor Moffatt probably never imagined he'd be fielding calls about when the heavyweight champion might show up to watch his horses run. But here we are.

Cartmel Dreams

Here's where it gets interesting - and slightly surreal.

Cartmel racecourse is basically in Fury's backyard near Morecambe. He's been there before, just soaking up the atmosphere like any other punter. But now? Now he's got skin in the game.

Moffatt told the Racing Post: "I met Spencer at Cartmel races last August and he said he wanted to go through Cartmel this summer." Translation: Fury wants his horses running at his home track. The man's got a flair for the dramatic, I'll give him that.

The trainer hasn't even met Fury face-to-face yet, but there's talk of him making an appearance this summer. Imagine being a casual racegoer and suddenly the former heavyweight champion is cheering next to you.

These Horses Might Actually Be Good

Sea The Clouds lost by just a nose over 2m6f at Cartmel in May. A nose! That's the kind of near-miss that keeps owners awake at night - but also hints at serious potential.

Moffatt's convinced the horse will thrive in fast summer conditions. Given that Sea The Clouds already won at Cartmel for previous trainer Jamie Snowden last year, the local knowledge is there.

Then there's Cossack Chach - a five-year-old gelding that Moffatt describes as "a proper chaser" with "a big engine." They're giving him a couple months off before launching a proper winter campaign.

This isn't amateur hour.

The Grand National Dream

Look, I know what you're thinking. Celebrity horse ownership rarely translates to Aintree glory. But Fury's different.

This is the same guy who came back from depression, addiction, and a three-year layoff to reclaim the heavyweight title. He's got Anthony Joshua potentially lined up for another mega-fight, yet he's still finding time to build a racing stable.

The man doesn't do anything halfway. If Tyson Fury wants to win the Grand National, he'll throw everything at it - money, time, and that relentless self-belief that carried him through twelve rounds with Wilder.

Could we really see Fury in the winner's circle at Aintree someday? After everything I've witnessed in sports over the past decade, I'm not ruling anything out.

Stranger things have happened. Just ask anyone who watched him get up from that knockdown in round twelve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of the jockey when training a racehorse?

Jockeys play an essential role in training racehorses. They ride horses and provide feedback about the horse's performance. But they also teach the horse racing tactics like pacing, position, and how to respond to commands. Good jockeys are able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their horses, which is essential for race preparation.

What is the age at which a horse should begin racing training?

Horses may begin their basic training as yearlings but they will usually begin more rigorous racing training and conditioning at around two years. The horses' bodies will be mature enough to withstand the strain of racing, while still young and adaptable. The exact timing depends on the horse's maturity and temperament.

What is a horse's first step of training?

In the initial training phase, the racehorse must undergo a crucial stage called "breaking," during which the horse is accustomed to the saddle, the bridle and the weight carried by the rider. During the early sessions, it is important to use patience and gentle handling to help the horse become comfortable with the human interaction and equipment that will be worn throughout its racing career.

How do I train a racing horse?

A racehorse's conditioning is a process that involves a combination of slow, long distance work for stamina as well as shorter, faster workouts for speed. A carefully designed regimen of exercise must gradually strengthen the horse's cardiovascular, muscular, and skeletal system. This is done to mimic the stress of racing, without injuring or overstressing it.

Can you train your racehorse anywhere?

Although the horse can train on various tracks initially, specific racing training requires facilities which simulate the conditions that the horse is likely to face in competition. It is important to use tracks that are the same size as the actual track the horse will be racing on. The correct track will help condition your horse and give them the experience they need in that racing environment.

Is there a need for a specific shoe on a racing horse?

Racing plates are thinner and lighter than normal horseshoes. These plates are designed to provide the required traction while also minimizing the weight. A professional farrier with experience in working on racehorses carefully selects and fits these shoes according to the hoof structure of each horse and the type of racing surface that they will run on.

Statistics

Research has found that a racehorse's stride length can increase by up to 7% following specific strength and conditioning programs.
The average cost to train a thoroughbred racehorse for one year can exceed $50,000, accounting for expenses related to training, boarding, and veterinary care.
The Injury Database from The Jockey Club reports that synthetic racing surfaces have a lower horse fatality rate than dirt tracks, with a statistically significant difference of 1.2 fatalities per thousand starts on synthetics compared to 2.0 on dirt tracks.
Gastrointestinal issues affect up to 90% of racehorses during their training, emphasizing the need for careful dietary management.
Studies suggest that proper early training can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries in racehorses by up to 50%.
Around 80% of thoroughbred racehorses begin their racing careers by the age of two, according to industry estimates.

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How To

What to do about common racehorse behavioral problems

Before addressing behavioral concerns, make sure they aren’t due to discomfort. Once all health issues have been ruled out you can use consistent, positive training methods to change behavior. Use groundwork exercises to reinforce respect and obedience. Desensitization can be used to help reduce the overreaction to stimuli in cases where more challenging behavior is present. To instill confidence in your horse, always remain calm and confident.