If you want to see Yossi Benayoun in action, try the 2.30 at Ascot.

Yossi Benayoun, the horse, is named after the Israeli international footballer.

The nag is owned by South London man Russell Trew, who tells the Wimbledon Guardian that, as a West Ham supporter, he was a big fan of Benayoun until the midfielder joined Liverpool.

However, he maintains that it was purely coincidence that he had the horse gelded in the same week that Benayoun left. Said Trew: “Since then, I’ll only name horses after past players, because they won’t let you down."