Liverpool, United Kingdom (AFP) — Hitman landed the feature race at Aintree on Sunday, with the horse’s owner announcing the £35,000 prize money ($46,578) would go to the Ricky Hatton Foundation.

The charity was set up to honour the former two-time boxing world champion after his death last month aged 46.

Hitman’s owners include former Manchester United Manager Alex Ferguson and Ged Mason, one of Hatton’s sponsors in the boxer’s early days.

Mason bought the horse only because of the name — Hatton’s ringside nickname was ‘The Hitman’.

Mason explained: “From early in his career I sponsored Ricky and when I saw this horse had won in France, the agent contacted [trainer] Paul Nicholls.

“With Hitman being the name, we bought the horse.”

Mason added: “He did that for Ricky up there.

“Ricky was a top, top man who helped so many people. Do speak out if you have got problems — that is what his message would be today.”

Hatton committed suicide at his home, a coroner’s court heard last week at an inquest.

He was discovered “unresponsive” on September 14 by his Manager Paul Speak at his house in Greater Manchester, Manchester South Coroner’s Court was told.

The foundation that bears the late sporting hero’s name aims to tackle the challenges caused by mental health and the stigma around it.

It will be hoping Hitman’s form continues as Mason said he would donate all his horse’s prize money to the charity for the rest of the season.

“I am absolutely delighted that we can help Ricky’s memory and legacy in some way,” said Mason.

“The family have set up the foundation and all of Hitman’s proceeds go to it, kicking off today.

“Hopefully Ricky is looking down and smiling at us. As we have said, nobody needs to fight alone — there are a lot of people with problems, and you’ve just got to share your problems with other people. Hopefully the foundation will be a vehicle for people to do that.”