Initially of the brand new documentary sequence which follows each his and his household’s lives, Michael Owen is posed a query.
‘You’ve got obtained a little bit of a status for being a…’ the producer begins, earlier than being reduce off by the previous striker mid-sentence.
‘Boring p***okay!’ shouts the ex-Liverpool, Actual Madrid, Newcastle and England striker. Owen is clearly conscious of the notion some have of him as boring, however there could be no doubting the eagerness he has for his life in soccer retirement.
Owen’s love for horse racing radiates out of his each pore as he and daughter Gemma present Every day Mail Sport across the household’s luxurious Manor Home Stables in rural Cheshire. ‘It hasn’t rained right here for 3 months,’ Owen says, huddling underneath an umbrella, however refusing to permit a uncommon, heavy rain bathe to dampen his enthusiasm.
‘That is my pleasure and pleasure. My little child. I am a geek. I do know each horse, each proprietor and each race arising. I might hold speaking to you about horses for ages.’
At his peak, Owen terrorised opposition defenders together with his tempo and ending which noticed him develop into one among soccer’s deadliest hitmen round. Now, his days are about pace of a distinct type.
Racing consumes Owen, as soccer as soon as did. His Love Island star daughter, 23, is bidding to develop into knowledgeable jockey and continues to coach as a dressage rider after she completed fourth within the Magnolia Cup – a charity flat race – at Superb Goodwood earlier this summer time. ‘I’ve simply fallen in love with the game,’ Gemma says. ‘I do not wish to give it up.’
Racing can also be now a household affair for the Owen household, with daughter Gemma and pa Michael exhibiting Every day Mail Sport round their luxurious Manor Home Stables in rural Cheshire
Gemma is bidding to develop into knowledgeable jockey and continues to coach as a dressage rider
‘I’ve simply fallen in love with the game,’ Gemma says. ‘I do not wish to give it up’
Michael has owned Manor Home Stables for greater than 20 years and now runs the enterprise with Hugo Palmer as coach. He employs greater than 50 folks, taking care of greater than 130 horses. It’s his pleasure and pleasure.
‘It is probably the most hectic factor on the earth, however I get up each morning and I am excited to return right here,’ Michael says. Racing is on the epicentre of Meet the Owens, a six-part Amazon sequence which has Michael and Gemma as main lights.
Michael has an array of high present or former footballers as homeowners of horses at his yard, together with England’s new Barcelona ace Anthony Gordon, Tottenham’s Andy Robertson, Paul Scholes, Steve McManaman and Owen Hargreaves amongst many others. Sir Alex Ferguson and the squad of Premier League facet Brighton are additionally concerned, as are darts stars Luke Littler and Stephen Bunting. The listing goes on and on.
Michael ensures no stone is left unturned in his bid to attain on-track success. He insists all of his horses are in stables with home windows on both facet, so their inquisitive nature could be happy.
A swimming pool aids horses with their restoration and on the day we go to, seven-year-old Field To Field – one of many oldest horses within the yard – is the one to make the leap. Field To Field is called as a result of it’s owned by a consortium which incorporates former midfielders Hargreaves and McManaman.
It’s noticeable as you tour Manor Home how pristine the ability is. There are not any piles of steaming horse manure. No stench. Nothing is just too misplaced, regardless of it being a working yard.
Franny Norton, a former jockey who gained just below 2,000 races in a 36-year profession, buzzes about – his scouse accent and vibrant language lighting up the yard. Norton acts as a using advisor to Michael and helped Gemma to rise up to hurry with what’s wanted to be a high jockey.
‘James Milner is the luckiest proprietor ever. All the pieces he touches turns right into a famous person!’ says Michael, nonetheless solely 46, as he reveals off his unimaginable, top-of-the-range facility that includes equine swimming pool, digital horse walker and even an ice tub.
Racing can also be now a household affair for the Owen household, with Gemma seeking to make her method within the sport. ‘To be trustworthy, it took me abruptly how a lot I’ve liked racing and studying a brand new ability,’ says Gemma, who now works alongside her father’s riders every day.
‘I assumed I might do the Magnolia Cup and it will be a tremendous expertise, however then that may be it. I’ve at all times had horses and gone to the races, however spending extra time at Manor Home with the employees has allowed me to attach with the game on a deeper stage. I am going to proceed and try to get my beginner jockey licence after which hopefully experience in just a few extra races.
Gemma says she has related with the game of horseracing ‘on a deeper stage’ lately
Gemma desires of profitable a race – and her dad has been severe concerning the enterprise for years
‘Juggling racing and dressage has been troublesome, however I wish to try to proceed the 2. I’ve finished dressage for so long as I can bear in mind. Racing is totally totally different. It is undoubtedly introduced the household nearer. It is good that we share that zeal.
‘The dream can be to win a race. That is going to be the goal.’
In 2022, Gemma starred on season eight of Love Island, ending as a runner-up on the hit actuality present. With 1.6million followers on Instagram, her love for racing in addition to style – Gemma additionally runs a swimwear enterprise – is a priceless alternative for the game to achieve a youthful viewers at a time when it must do precisely that.
‘Racing is making an attempt to draw youthful folks,’ Gemma says. ‘It has a style ingredient to it which does that. With my background in horses, Manor Home and my curiosity in style, I would like to have the ability to carry different folks into racing. That does not imply they need to experience.
‘I like to point out my followers into the racing world.’
Michael’s profitable soccer profession – he retired in 2013 after 40 targets in 89 England appearances and because the final English winner of the Ballon d’Or – has laid the platform for his multi-million-pound racing enterprise in addition to his household’s luxurious life.
However he’s not enjoying at racing. For him, it is greater than severe.
He has had success too, saddling winners on the highest stage of flat racing in England in addition to the world over. ‘If I get my tooth into one thing, I am all in. It is simply how I’m,’ Michael says.
‘It was the identical with soccer and now it is the identical with racing. All the pieces you see right here is the fruits of our labour. You possibly can’t assist however have a gentle spot for the folks you utilize, the horses you practice, the homeowners you meet and the chums you make.
‘I lasted in soccer until l I used to be 33, however I would wish to assume this may be one thing I die doing.’
Managing, proudly owning and shopping for and promoting high flat horses – in addition to the each day prices of working a yard – means Michael’s Manor Home Stables is a enterprise of excessive prices and even increased stakes.
Like in soccer, just one factor issues – profitable.
‘I’ve obtained no qualms in saying it is develop into a household enterprise and which means loads,’ he added. ‘It brings you just a little bit nearer. It has been beautiful and I can solely see it persevering with. Gemma just isn’t stopping now she’s obtained a style for using.
Managing, proudly owning and shopping for and promoting high flat horses means Michael’s Manor Home Stables is a enterprise of excessive prices and even increased stakes
After years working in soccer, Michael just isn’t enjoying at racing. For him, it is greater than severe
‘She’s going to be competing as an beginner and God is aware of the place it’ll take her. However she completely loves it. I did not really feel strain as a footballer. It got here naturally.
‘I would not use the phrase strain to explain working this enterprise, however I do have to consider how I would like it to run. It’s totally totally different.’ Michael has 4 youngsters in whole and his son James – who’s now clinically blind attributable to a uncommon eye situation – can also be concerned at Manor Home behind the scenes.
‘There are such a lot of girls jockeys coming by way of the ranks. The likes of Hollie Doyle and Saffie Osborne are unimaginable function fashions. I look as much as them and admire them for what they’ve finished,’ Gemma provides.
‘I am simply making an attempt to take it step-by-step. I am nonetheless so new to the game. You do not admire the power jockeys want. I needed to undergo a number of health exams to compete within the Magnolia Cup.
‘That course of was so arduous. Jockeys are very, very sturdy. I’ve obtained a new-found respect for them. I might additionally like to do a Grand Prix on my dressage horse. I’ve not but been in a position to compete at that stage.
‘My horse may be very skilled and he is very proficient. Nonetheless, he’s not a simple experience.
‘I really feel like I am extra concerned with the household enterprise now. It does really feel extra particular. My brother takes an curiosity within the enterprise facet of issues and my mum has develop into extra concerned as nicely.
‘It is good that it is introduced us all collectively and I can share my ardour for racing with my mother and father.’
All six episodes of Meet the Owens will probably be out there to stream on Amazon Prime Video from August 28.
