Michael Owen
Horse & Hound|November 07, 2024
There's plenty of synergy between top-class football and racing, proves Michael Owen as his Manor House Stables continues to churn out winners under trainer Hugo Palmer. Martha Terry pays a visit to the striker's Cheshire base
Martha Terry
Michael Owen

It’s not often you can empathise with a Golden Boot-winning footballer. But when Michael Owen was a teenager, like a pony-mad kid, he used to dream up horse names.

“Once a week, me, my mum, dad, girlfriend – now wife – would go to the local hotel and sit in the Jacuzzi thinking of horse names,” he says. “I’ve named them after kids, parents, football occasions, funny things my dad would say – whatever!”

Michael’s interest in racing was piqued as a child when his dad would let him make 50p bets on Saturdays. He bought his first horse at 18, freshly back from the World Cup in 1998, where he scored a stunning solo goal against Argentina in St Etienne that people still talk about today. The filly’s name? Etienne Lady, and she was a winner too.

Within five years, while he was playing for his first club Liverpool, Michael had set up his own yard, Manor House Stables in Cheshire, starting with 10 horses on an old dairy farm. There have since been success stories galore – in Group Ones, the Breeders’ Cup, Classics, Royal Ascot and dozens at Chester, his local track. Michael forayed into breeding too, with his home-bred Brown Panther turning out to be one his most prolific winners, the Dubai Gold Cup in 2015 crowning his 10 victories.

It showed remarkable foresight for a young footballer to invest his millions into a passion that would not only satisfy his cravings for elite sport, but provide a fun and commercial business to motivate him during a player’s long retirement from the game.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 07, 2024 من Horse & Hound.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 07, 2024 من Horse & Hound.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من HORSE & HOUND مشاهدة الكل
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Horse & Hound

'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'

Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start

time-read
2 mins  |
November 07, 2024
New pair pull off a win
Horse & Hound

New pair pull off a win

A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons

time-read
2 mins  |
November 07, 2024
Lording it over the rest
Horse & Hound

Lording it over the rest

Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season

time-read
3 mins  |
November 07, 2024
Smith hits flying form
Horse & Hound

Smith hits flying form

A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot

time-read
3 mins  |
November 07, 2024
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Horse & Hound

Jankorado hits the jackpot

Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps

time-read
4 mins  |
November 07, 2024
Peanut
Horse & Hound

Peanut

From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character

time-read
3 mins  |
November 07, 2024
She's a corker
Horse & Hound

She's a corker

Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers

time-read
8 mins  |
November 07, 2024
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
Horse & Hound

Access all areas Cavalier Centre

The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit

time-read
7 mins  |
November 07, 2024
'Use it or lose it'
Horse & Hound

'Use it or lose it'

Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity

time-read
6 mins  |
November 07, 2024
A new way forward
Horse & Hound

A new way forward

Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change

time-read
3 mins  |
November 07, 2024