Reading fans were in the money on Friday after supporters spotted a Royal link at Aintree, with El Jefe winning at the world-famous horse racing festival.
The highlight of the racing calendar, Aintree hosted the 2024 Grand National Festival.
Won by I Am Maximus, the main event is included in a three-day festival in Liverpool.
On the Friday evening, a horse named El Jefe was in the Alder Hey Handicap Hurdle.
I’m assuming we all lumped in El Jefe, didn’t we? #readingfc
— Ben Thomas (@mrblthomas) April 12, 2024
Eagle-eyed Reading supporters noticed this on Thursday evening, with Reading boss Ruben Selles nicknamed 'El Jefe', which translates to The Boss in his native Spanish.
Oh Ruben you sweet sweet man #readingfc pic.twitter.com/ACQsN4NiOU
— James Earnshaw (@james_e1871) April 12, 2024
With odds ranging from 40/1 downwards, many supporters had a flutter on the outsider, only for jockey Ben Smith to bring him home in first place, earning Royals fans a pretty penny.
Our Gaffer 😍😍😍💰🇪🇸#ElJefe https://t.co/i0z3RKy4KP
— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) April 12, 2024
Even the official X account for the club picked up on the coincidence, writing 'OUR GAFFER' above the video of the horse romping home.
It would be the only 'El Jefe' to win over Grand National weekend, with Selles and Reading drawing 1-1 at Barnsley.
However, the real victory was Reading securing League One safety after a tumultuous campaign.
The final home match of the season against Blackpool on April 27 is named 'Dia Del Jefe'- 'Boss' Day'- with Spanish-themed events planned and a giant Selles banner set to be unveiled.
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