TYSON FURY aims to be King of the ring at Newmarket on Friday – after launching a shock new career in racing.
The former heavyweight world champion will be at the track – dubbed ‘racing’s HQ’ – to see his new filly Big Gypsy King make her racecourse debut.
Former heavyweight king Tyson Fury will no doubt be suited and booted when he watches his new filly in action at NewmarketCredit: PA
Former jockey Darryll Holland is the trainer tasked with turning Big Gypsy King into a world-beaterCredit: Getty
The two-year-old, trained by Darryll Holland, will slug it out in the 5.45 maiden, the second race of the evening fixture.
Fury will then stay the night at the luxury Jockey Club Rooms hotel in the heart of town.
Holland has high hopes of the filly who runs under the Goldstar Promotions banner.
He said: “Big Gypsy King is a very nice filly and has a big build — just like her owner!
“Traditionally, horses have been a big part of Tyson’s family.
“It’s brilliant for the sport to have a global superstar like him involved. I was introduced to Tyson’s manager Spencer Brown, and things just went from there.
“I’m really pleased Tyson is now part of the team at Harraton Court Stables.”
Fury has yet to pop his head through the doors at Holland’s stable in Exning.
However, the now retired Group 1-winning rider has seen his high profile owner in action after being whisked away to Saudi Arabia to watch his heavyweight title bout with Oleksandr Usyk back in May.
Holland added: “They invited me out to Saudi Arabia for Tyson’s fight against Usyk.
“Where I was sitting you could hear the sounds of the punches. It was a great atmosphere.
“Tyson hasn’t been down to the yard, but I’ve been sending his team video updates and I’ve said hello to him when he has been in the car with Spencer.
“They are very busy people, but they wanted to come and see the horse run and, thankfully, it has worked out as Tyson will soon be getting ready for his rematch with Usyk in Saudi Arabia.
“Hopefully if Big Gypsy King does well Tyson might get a few more.”
Funnily enough there is already a horse called Tyson Fury.
The Denis Hogan-trained seven-year-old ran well at Royal Ascot in June having been bought by big-spending Qater Racing just days before.
While Fury placed $2,000 on a horse called King Fury to win the 2021 Kentucky Derby – only for the horse to be withdrawn due to illness.
Boxing and racing have a strong recent history, with legendary promoter Barry Hearn and his wife Susan keen breeders.
Subjectivist, the horse they bred at their Mascalls Stud in Es𝑠e𝑥, won Royal Ascot’s Gold Cup in 2021.