Door opens for Rooney

England striker scores with well-backed favourite

Last updated: 5th July 2012   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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Wayne Rooney: Enjoyed his first winner as an owner

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Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney enjoyed his first taste of victory as a racehorse owner as Yourartisonfire scored at Haydock.

Rooney owns the Elaine Burke-trained two-year-old in partnership with Sunderland defender John O'Shea, among others.

Sent off the 6-4 favourite in the Distinction Doors EBF Maiden Stakes, the Dutch Art colt built on his debut fourth at Nottingham, staying on strongly throughout the final furlong to win going away by two and a quarter lengths from Mayaasem.

Winning jockey Michael Metcalfe told Racing UK: "They went quite steady - you can sit and wait but I thought I would get him rolling and I always thought he would pick them up in the end.

"When I got him wide he picked up nicely and he'd probably even get an extra furlong the way he settled.

"He's very professional."