Plenty more to come from Owen as he steps up investment

MICHAEL Owen has spoken about his racing ambitions as the footballer attempts to win today’s St Leger with Royal Ascot hero Brown Panther, a horse that he bred at his expansionist Manor House stables in Cheshire.

The Manchester United and England footballer accepts that he may never have a better chance of winning a Classic, but it will not be for a lack of trying on his part.

“Just having a horse in the oldest classic is a fine achievement,” said Owen.

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“I may never own a horse this good again in my life. Brown Panther has already given me more pleasure than I ever imagined, and win, lose or draw at Doncaster, he owes us nothing.

“When I was younger, horse racing was very much rolled into one – I didn’t really differentiate between flat and the jumps.

“I think One Man was the first horse I developed an affection for. Since I’ve been an owner myself, Brown Panther is by far the best horse I’ve owned.

“Interestingly, the next best horse I’ve owned was his mother, Treble Heights.

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“It’s been a great adventure so far and I have a great partner in Andrew Black and a great trainer in Tom Dascombe.

“We’re still in the early stages and we hope to improve and step up a gear – there is plenty more to come.

“We have continued to invest in the latest technology to support the development of our horses and yard.

“Our latest investment is an equine veterinary centre, an equine swimming pool, and a spa, together with an indoor horse walker with overhead heat lamps. It wasn’t cheap.

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“We want to compete at the highest level and be the pre-eminent Flat yard in the country – with most yards, you’re very dependent on getting the right horses too.”

Though Owen accepts it was a “difficult decision” to overlook Richard Kingscote, Brown Panther’s regular jockey, in favour of the vastly-experienced Kieren Fallon for today’s race, he can understand the dilemma from a footballing perspective.

“He (Richard) has taken the decision like a man which shows his character. I know what it feels like for him at the moment but he will be back,” added Owen.

“It’s not to say people who weren’t born into it can’t be successful at it.

“It’s a bit like football. The top players don’t always go on to become the top managers.”