Soccer-Ferguson in court fight with United's biggest shareholder ( 2003-11-18 14:22) (Xinhua)
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has issued legal proceedings against
the club's biggest shareholder in a row over the ownership of the racehorse Rock
of Gibraltar, British newspapers reported on Tuesday.
Ferguson's solicitors have issued legal proceedings against Irish racehorse
owners JP McManus and John Magnier, who through their company Cubic Expression
control 23.15 percent of United, claiming half-ownership of Group One
record-breaker Rock of Gibraltar.
A statement from Coolmore Stud said: "Coolmore Stud has today (Monday) been
advised that legal proceedings have been issued against Mr John Magnier by Alex
Ferguson alleging certain ownership rights for the stallion Rock of Gibraltar.
"Coolmore Stud and John Magnier consider the action to be without merit and
it will be vigorously defended. As this is a legal matter, no further comment
will be made."
Ferguson alleges he was given a half-share of Rock of Gibraltar as a gift by
Magnier and wants half the stud fees, which could be worth between 50 million
pounds ($84.47 million) and 150 million pounds, said the Daily Mail and Daily
Mirror newspapers.
Rock of Gibraltar, trained by Irishman Aidan O'Brien, was retired to stud
last year after winning seven successive Group One races, breaking the record of
six set by Mill Reef in the 1970s.
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