OWEN GETS SET TO STRIKE

START WITH HORSE RACING

FORMER England striker Michael Owen switches from football shorts to breeches as he makes his race-riding debut in a charity race at Ascot today.

Owen, who also starred for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle and Manchester United, will compete in a seven-furlong race in aid of the Prince’s Countryside Trust.

Since hanging up his football boots in 2013, the 37-year-old has devoted most of his time to his Manor House Stables in Cheshire, and it is one of his trainer Tom Dascombe’s string that will give him his first taste of being a jockey.

That horse is Calder Prince, a fouryear-old gelding rated 88 and winner of four of his 27 starts.

Owen enjoyed success as an ownerbreeder at the Royal meeting in 2011, when Brown Panther won the King George V Stakes.

But now it is race-riding that is getting the competitive juices flowing again and Owen is looking forward to the challenge. “As the race gets closer ® I’m getting both nervous and excited about it,” he said.

“It’s been a massive learning curve for me and, having thought initially that this would be quite easy, I’ve come to the realisation that that couldn’t be any further from the truth.

“From riding out in the morning, to being thrown off and then galloping on a racecourse, it’s been a fantastic few months.

“I’ve had success as an owner at Ascot, but this will be a completely different experience and I can’t wait. Riding has given me a greater appreciation of racing.

“I’ve done the business side, been to the sales and watched the breaking-in and training, I’ve done the whole thing, but racing is a new insight.

“As a competitive man I’d love to win, but I’ll be happy to make it across the finish line having enjoyed the experience and knowing I have raised valuable funds for some great charities.”

Donations to Owen’s JustGiving page can be made at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ MichaelOwen10