The West Ham fan and the ‘very rare collector’s item’ that’s set to make him millions

WEST HAM fan Michael Tabor knows a thing or two about making a couple of quid.

A multi-millionaire businessman who regularly features in the Sunday Times rich list with a net worth of around £600million, he is a titan of British industry.

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Multi-millionaire businessman Tabor could, at 81, have the horse of a lifetime on his hands[/caption]

But it is now, at the age of 81, that he could have his hands on something that has alluded him all his life.

To many, Auguste Rodin is the father of modern sculpture, the genius behind The Thinker.

To racing fanatics, he is the Aidan O’Brien-trained three-year-old set to shatter more than 50 years of history.

To Tabor, he could be one of the ultimate money-making machines.

Tabor is co-owner of the three-year-old colt, who’s favourite for Saturday’s blockbuster 2000 Guineas.

Huge things are expected of Auguste Rodin, a son of legendary sire Deep Impact and top class mare Rhododendron.

Bookies make him just 14-1 to achieve the Holy Grail of racing – the Triple Crown.

Auguste Rodin will need to win the Guineas, the Derby at Epsom in June and then September’s St Leger at Doncaster later to do it.

No horse since Najinsky in 1970 has won all three. He is the only horse post-World War II to achieve the feat.

Only 12 horses have ever managed it.

It is not only history at stake though, huge, huge sums of money are too.

Victory in the 2000 Guineas will be worth just over £280,000. Triumph at Epsom and you’re looking at more than £800,000.

Get the full house in the St Leger and Auguste Rodin’s earnings from three races will surge well over the £1million mark.

Fans of the Flat will know though, the real money is to be made at stud.

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Auguste Rodin could go down as one of the greatest horses ever – if he wins the Triple Crown[/caption]

If Auguste Rodin wins the Triple Crown it would be no surprise to see him retired there and then.

His speed over a mile and stamina over the 1m6f trip of the St Leger is an incredibly rare blend of equine perfection – and people will pay huge money for it.

The world’s top sire, Dubawi, charges £350,000 to cover a single mare. And he does that well over 100 times a year.

O’Brien knows the horse’s worth on the racetrack too.

He waxed lyrical about the horse when describing his chances of winning the 2000 Guineas, typically the trickiest leg of the three over the roly-poly mile at Newmarket.

He said: “He is by Deep Impact and they stay well and out of one of the best Galileo mares we ever had (Rhododendron).

“He’s already a collector’s item being one of the last horses sired by Deep Impact – I think there are only five or six in his generation and it was a great call by the boss to send her over to him.

“Then to have all the attributes he has shown us is a very rare thing.

“Although the breeding is different, he shares a lot of similarities with Camelot in that they both have the class that gives them the combination of speed and stamina.

“This horse always exuded class from the first time he worked.

“He has a long stride and is very relaxed. He is a very slick horse with a slick body – unusual really.”

Will that long stride carry him onto the first leg of the Triple Crown?

It’s a nervy wait to find out, but one which could well be worth it for racing… and Tabor.