HAYDOCK Park is under starter's orders to salute Sir Alex Ferguson.

For it's staging a testimonial race day for the Manchester United' manager who was knighted in the Queens Birthday Honours List.

And United's all-conquering stars will get a taste of racehorse ownership on the big day, Sunday July 11.

In one of the three races to be shown live on BBC Grandstand, each horse will be allocated to a United player.

As far as possible they will be allotted the horse for their appropriate shirt number - for example Ryan Giggs will get number 11.

Stable staff will be given exercise jackets with the appropriate number on the back to wear in the parade ring.

Haydock Park's racing manager Lisa Rowe said she was hopeful that at least 11 horses would run in the five-furlong handicap race worth £10,000 to make up a full football team of horses.

"The aim is for each individual player to be able to adopt their own horse corresponding to their shirt number. The public will then be able to support their favourite player's horse," she said.

Tickets for the meeting on Sunday July 11 are already selling fast, with most of the members of the Manchester United team squad expected to be there. The three trophies they won this season - Premiership, FA Cup and European Cup - will be on display.

Racecourse managing director Richard Thomas said he anticipated a sell-out crowd.

Companies supporting Alex Ferguson testimonial year have sponsored each of the six races.

The testimonial year theme continues at Haydock Park on Sunday August 22 when an open-air concert by Simply Red will be staged at the racecourse.

Ticket prices for Sunday July 11 ainclude: Premier Enclosure on the top floor of the new Centenary Grandstand £35, County Enclosure £20, Tattersalls £12, and Newton Enclosure £6. Accompanied children under 16 enter free on all days. Senior citizens and students, with appropriate identification, enter Tattersalls and the Newton Enclosure at half price. More details available by calling up Haydock Park's website on www.haydock-park.com.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.