Michael Owen: equestrian success for former footballer and racing enthusiast
It’s been a good week for former footballer and racing fan Michael Owen — his top racehorse won at Glorious Goodwood and his dressage-loving daughter came 2nd with her pony at BYRDS.
The Owens are a horsey family — not only does Michael own Tom Dascombe’s Manor House Stables in Cheshire, his wife Louise is a patron of the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre and his daughter Gemma was recently selected for the Welsh under-12 dressage team.
Micheal’s even revealed he’s learning to ride to take part in a charity race. H&H is sure any race featuring Michael will attract a large audience…
But in the meantime check out our gallery of Michael Owen at the races.
Last week 10-year-old Gemma and her pony Daphne II were 2nd overall in the novice at the Keysoe BYRDS Home International (30-31 July).
Meanwhile on Thursday (1 August) Michael’s top horse, Brown Panther, trained by Tom Dascombe, took the Artemis Goodwood Cup at Glorious Goodwood.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
The former footballer loves his racing — so much so he’s become an ambassador for the QIPCO British Champions Series.
The British Champion Series comprises of 35 Flat races across the season —culminating in British Champions Day at Ascot on 19 October.
“I’m delighted to be able to utilise my experience from Premiership football and my passion for racing in order to bring younger audiences into the sport,” said Michael. “Flat racing in Britain is the best in the world and the QIPCO British Champions Series and Champions Day showcase races no sports fan should miss.”
See the current issue of H&H magazine for Goodwood and BYRDS report, out today (Thursday 8 August).
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.