At the start of the new documentary series that follows the lives of him and his family, Michael Owen a question is asked.
“You have a bit of a reputation as a…” the producer begins, before being interrupted mid-sentence by the former striker.
“Boring prick!” shouts the ex-Liverpool, Real MadridNewcastle and England striker. Owen is clearly aware of the perception some have of him as boring, but there can be no doubt about the passion he has for his post-retirement life from football.
Owen’s love for horse racing radiates from every pore, as he and daughter Gemma demonstrate Daily mail sport around the family’s luxurious Manor House Stables in the Cheshire countryside. “It hasn’t rained here in three months,” Owen says, huddled under an umbrella, refusing to let a rare, heavy downpour dampen his enthusiasm.
‘This is my pride and joy. My little baby. I’m a nerd. I know every horse, every owner and every breed coming up. I could talk to you about horses for ages.”
At his peak, Owen terrorized opposition defenders with his pace and finishing, making him one of the deadliest assassins in football. Now his days are about speed of a different kind.
Racing consumes Owen, as football once did. His Love Island star daughter, 23, is trying to become a professional jockey and continues to train as a dressage rider after finishing fourth in the Magnolia Cup – a charity flat race – at Glorious Goodwood earlier this summer. “I just fell in love with the sport,” says Gemma. “I don’t want to give it up.”
Racing is now also a family affair for the Owen family, with daughter Gemma and father Michael showing Daily Mail Sport around their luxurious Manor House Stables in the Cheshire countryside
Gemma would like to become a professional jockey and continues to train as a dressage rider
“I just fell in love with the sport,” says Gemma. ‘I don’t want to give it up’
Michael has owned Manor House Stables for over twenty years and now runs the business with Hugo Palmer as trainer. He employs more than 50 people and cares for more than 130 horses. It is his pride and joy.
“It’s the most stressful thing in the world, but I wake up every morning and I’m excited to get here,” Michael says. Racing is the epicenter of Meet the Owensa six-part Amazon series starring Michael and Gemma.
Michael has a range of current and former top footballers as horse owners in his stable, including new Barcelona great Anthony Gordon, Tottenham’s Andy Robertson, Paul Scholes, Steve McManaman and Owen Hargreaves among many others. Sir Alex Ferguson and the team of Premier League club Brighton are also involved, as are darts stars Luke Littler and Stephen Bunting. The list goes on.
Michael ensures that no stone is left unturned in his bid to achieve success on the track. He insists that all his horses be kept in stables with windows on either side so that their inquisitive nature can be satisfied.
A swimming pool helps horses with their recovery and on the day we are there, seven-year-old Box To Box – one of the oldest horses on the property – is the one who takes the plunge. Box To Box was named because it is owned by a consortium including former midfielders Hargreaves and McManaman.
When you visit Manor House you are struck by how pristine the facility is. There are no piles of steaming horse manure. No stench. Nothing is too crazy, despite the fact that it is a working area.
Franny Norton, a former jockey who won just under 2,000 races in a 36-year career, buzzes about – his Scouse accent and colorful language lighting up the yard. Norton acts as a riding advisor to Michael and helped Gemma get up to speed on what it takes to become a top jockey.
‘James Milner is the happiest owner ever. Everything he touches turns into a superstar!’ says Michael, still just 46, as he shows off his incredible, high-end facility with a horse pool, electronic horse walker and even an ice bath.
Racing is now also a family affair for the Owen family, with Gemma looking to make her way in the sport. “Honestly, it surprised me how much I loved racing and learning a new skill,” says Gemma, who now works with her father’s riders every day.
“I thought I would do the Magnolia Cup and it would be a great experience, but that’s about it. I have always had horses and gone to the races, but spending more time with the staff at Manor House has allowed me to connect with the sport on a deeper level. I’m going to continue and try to get my amateur jockey license and then hopefully do a few more races.
Gemma says she has been connecting with horse racing ‘on a deeper level’ recently
Gemma dreams of winning a race, and her father has been serious about the profession for years
‘Combining racing and dressage has been difficult, but I want to try to continue the two. I have been doing dressage for as long as I can remember. Racing is completely different. It has certainly brought the family closer. It’s great that we share that passion.
‘The dream would be to win a race. That will be the target.”
In 2022, Gemma starred in season eight of Love Island, finishing second on the hit reality show. With 1.6 million followers on Instagram, her love of racing and fashion – Gemma also runs a swimwear business – is an invaluable opportunity for the sport to reach a younger audience at a time when exactly that needs to be done.
“Racing is trying to attract younger people,” says Gemma. “There’s a fashion element to it that does that. With my background in horses, Manor House and my interest in fashion, I am keen to get other people involved in racing. That doesn’t mean they have to drive.
‘I like to introduce my followers to the racing world.’
Michael’s successful football career – he retired in 2013 after scoring 40 goals in 89 appearances for England and as the last English winner of the Ballon d’Or – laid the platform for his multi-million pound racing business and his family’s luxurious life.
But he doesn’t race. For him it is more than serious.
He has also had success saddling winners at the highest level of flat racing, both in England and around the world. ‘If I sink my teeth into something, I go all the way for it. That’s just how I am,” Michael says.
“It was the same with football and now it’s the same with racing. Everything you see here is the fruit of our labor. You can’t help but have a soft spot for the people you employ, the horses you train, the owners you meet and the friends you make.
‘I was in football until I was 33, but I would like this to be something that would kill me.’
Managing, owning, buying and selling top horses – as well as the day-to-day costs of running a stable – means Michael’s Manor House Stables is a high-cost, even higher-stakes business.
Just like in football, only one thing counts: winning.
“I have no problem saying that it has become a family business and that means a lot,” he added. ‘It brings you a little closer. It was beautiful and I can only see it continuing. Gemma doesn’t stop now that she feels like riding.
Managing, owning, buying and selling top flat horses means Michael’s Manor House Stables is a high-cost, even higher-stakes business
After years of working in football, Michael no longer plays in racing. For him it is more than serious
‘She’s going to compete as an amateur and God knows where it will take her. But she absolutely loves it. As a footballer I felt no pressure. It came naturally.
‘I wouldn’t use the word busy to describe running this business, but I do have to think about how I want it to run. It’s very different.’ Michael has four children in total and his son James – who is now clinically blind due to a rare eye condition – is also involved behind the scenes at Manor House.
“There are so many female jockeys coming through the ranks. People like Hollie Doyle and Saffie Osborne are incredible role models. I look up to them and admire them for what they have done,” Gemma added.
‘I’m just trying to take it step by step. I’m still so new to the sport. You don’t understand the strength jockeys need. I had to undergo many fitness tests to participate in the Magnolia Cup.
‘That process was so difficult. Jockeys are very strong. I have a new found respect for them. I would also really like to ride a Grand Prix with my dressage horse. I haven’t been able to compete at that level yet.
‘My horse has a lot of experience and is very talented. However, he doesn’t just drive.
‘I feel like I’m more involved in the family business now. It feels more special. My brother is interested in the business side of things and my mother has become more involved as well.
“It’s nice that it has brought us all together and that I can share my passion for racing with my parents.”
All six episodes of Meet the Owens can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video starting August 28.
