Harry Redknapp is best known as a football legend, but his real love affair began in the streets of London’s East End—with horses. Speaking ahead of the Cheltenham Festival with Sporting Life, Redknapp shared how his upbringing and values continue to shape his approach to horse racing and welfare.

From East End Bookies to the Cheltenham Festival

Redknapp’s first memories of racing are rooted in family:

“It all started with my nan. She was the bookies runner down the street we lived in the East End of London. I was eight or nine years of age and I’d come home, after my school dinner and my nan would be getting nicked. She’d say don’t worry boy, your dinner is in the oven and she’d be home in an hour.”

A Commitment to Horse Welfare

For Redknapp, racing isn’t just about winning, it’s about caring for the horses:

“Any fence he [The Jukebox Man] jumps, or any of my horses, I hold my breath because I love horse and I care about them. People will say it’s a cruel sport but this is what they are bred to do, they love it, going out racing and jumping but I also love it when they come back safe and sound most importantly.”

He’s made it a personal mission to rehome every horse he’s owned:

“What I have always done is rehome my horses, when they finish, I always try and find a home for them.”

The Joy of Ownership

Redknapp’s journey as an owner began with a group of friends while managing Bournemouth:

“A big pal of mine said why don’t we get a horse between a group of us… we all put about £800 each in and bought Slick Cherry. David Elsworth trained him and we had some great fun with him.”

His partnership with trainer Ben Pauling has brought him to Cheltenham and beyond, with horses like Shakemup’arry and now The Jukebox Man.

Looking Ahead

As Redknapp dreams of Cheltenham glory, his heart remains with the horses:

“I had a dream before the King George and that came true, now I am dreaming about the Gold Cup.”

But win or lose, it’s the welfare and happiness of his horses that matter most.