While Coolmore Stud principal John Magnier and his Cubic Expression Co. partner J. P. McManus have built up an 8.65% share in the English soccer club Manchester United, spokesmen for majority shareholder and British satellite television operator BskyB have quashed rumors that the company might sell its 10% stake to the horsemen.BSkyB associates on Sunday that the company had "no current plans" to sell its stake in the team, Reuters reports.

Magnier and McManus initially invested $42.5-million in 17.5-million shares in the club last summer, good enough for a 6.8% stake in the club. Their firm, based in the British Virgin Islands, is aiming to buy the rights to broadcast Manchester United TV in the Caribbean—rights owned by BSkyB.

Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has horses in training under Coolmore trainer Aidan O'Brien, and Coolmore partner Dermot Desmond is the chairman of the Celtic soccer club.

One obstacle to the potential deal is the gap between the low price McManus and Magnier paid for their shares (from $1.85 to $2.13 per share) versus the $3.41 per share price that BSkyB paid in 1999.

Asked if the partners plan to pursue an increased stake in the team, McManus told The Guardian, "That's like asking me to play poker, then wanting to see my hand."