A Murrayfield meeting with Doddie Weir gave Kenny Alexander an idea.

Inspired by the resilience of the Scotland and British & Irish Lions legend, who was in exuberant form entertaining Alexander and his family in a hospitality box despite suffering the effects of Motor Neurone Disease, the prominent racehorse breeder and owner decided to name one of his battalion in the former lock’s honour.

The horse in question is Doddiethegreat, whose exploits continue to raise tens of thousands of pounds for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation – most recently with a stirring victory at the Cheltenham Festival which led to emotional scenes in the winners’ enclosure.

Alexander donates all the horse’s prize money to the charity and could hardly believe his eyes when the 25/1 shot stormed up the famous hill to land the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.

“It was very surreal,” Alexander said. “I thought he’d run well but it’s a very tough race, one of the toughest to win at Cheltenham.

“I could tell he was travelling really well and with a mile or so to go, I winked at one of my mates in the paddock and thought ‘this could happen’.

“It was bonkers. Everyone is very fond of the horse because of the Doddie link and the horse’s own story, he’s had quite a journey with his injuries.

“He got very badly injured at one stage and we thought we might lose him, never mind get him back on the track. He was off the track for two years, but (trainer) Nicky Henderson is a genius and never lost faith in him.

“We were celebrating as if Scotland had won the Six Nations – maybe that’s the closest we’ll get!”

The victory was Alexander’s sixth at horse racing’s theatre of dreams – Kargese made it seven the following day – and raised nearly £62,000 for the Foundation, taking Doddiethegreat’s career earnings into six figures.

Reflecting on the origins of the poignant story, Alexander said: “I went to a Scotland-Fiji game, as my sister-in-law is Fijian, so her kids are half-Fijian.

“Doddie was hosting the pre-match entertainment and after the game you go back in for a drink.

“He was asking if any Fiji fans were in and my sister-in-law and nephew did a Fijian dance.

“Doddie had the disease then and it was obviously affecting him pretty badly, but I saw the way he handled himself and, in particular, how kind he was to my nephew, who was only 10 or 11 at the time.

“He was up there being kind to other people, doing a job, spirits were high in an environment he loved. I just thought ‘what an incredibly brave and decent bloke’.

“People talk about heroes – to do what he was doing, facing up to it and taking it on, knowing he was fighting a losing battle, was incredible to see. He was a great man and a national hero.

“I thought I’d name this horse after him - I didn’t think at that stage I’d be naming a Cheltenham Festival winner!”

The decision to do so was fitting in more ways than one. Weir was a passionate racing fan and visited Alexander’s stud farm in Ayrshire to visit the horse named in his honour before his passing in November 2022.

And Doddiethegreat is not the only horse with a name inspired by Scottish rugby, as Alexander explained.

“I named one after Finn Russell as well,” he said. “I called it Finnthemagician, but unfortunately the horse didn’t have the same magical qualities Finn has.

“I am biased but he would be the first name on my Lions teamsheet in Australia, he is the man and he can do no wrong in my book. I’m a huge fan of him and the Lions and I really hope they do the business this summer.”

A trip to Punchestown is potentially next on the agenda for Doddiethegreat, whose impact on the Foundation has been keenly felt.

My Name'5 Doddie patron Jill Douglas was among those at Cheltenham to witness his latest success, one which reverberated around her community.

“It was fantastic, it was just such a thrill to see it and it gives such a profile to the foundation as people recognise the name and work out the connection,” she said.

“It was very emotional, much more than I expected. I spoke to (Doddie’s wife) Kathy soon afterwards, she had been watching at home with some friends, jumping up and down.

“It was a joyful experience and put a lot of smiles on faces. The next day, when I got back, there was a note next to a bottle of milk on my doorstep from my milkman, Kev, saying ‘I watched the racing yesterday, I was so delighted to see the horse win, I had a little bet on it and donated the winnings to the charity’. That was a lovely touch.

“Kenny Alexander is a generous, amazing individual and a brilliant supporter of the charity. The impact this has had has been very humbling to see.”