The Horse That Changed Manchester United - Part One with David Walsh

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. In today's episode, hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper are joined by journalist David Walsh to explore how the modern fortunes of Manchester United are intertwined with one of the greatest racehorses in history. This is the extraordinary story of Rock of Gibraltar, the famed racehorse part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson - and how his connections and relationships with John Magnier, and JP McManus would ultimately impact the Glazers' takeover of Manchester United. David Walsh shares insider details from his investigative work on the story, making this one of the most fascinating sports sagas of recent times. Tune in on Friday for part two, and the implications of the Glazers' takeover - and Manchester United's decline. 00:00 The Tale of the Lost Kingdom 00:25 Introduction to the Podcast and Special Guest 00:35 The Story of Rock of Gibraltar 01:25 David Walsh's Insights 02:28 The Connection Between Sir Alex Ferguson and John Magner 07:36 The Rise of Rock of Gibraltar 17:21 The Dispute Over Ownership 19:26 The Financial Implications 29:04 Ownership Dispute and Legal Battle 29:52 High Court Drama and Stakeholder Tensions 30:50 Public Fallout and Media Frenzy 34:02 Settlement and Aftermath 38:39 The Glazers' Takeover 41:35 Reflecting on Missed Opportunities 49:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.