Michael Owen draws barrier six for his horse Brown Panther at the Melbourne Cup draw at Flemington. Picture: Mark Evans Source: Mark Evans / News Limited
THAT Michael Owen will feature in a major Australian sporting event in November will bring to mind, for many, a Sydney derby rather than a Melbourne Cup.
At 33, and retired after injuries limited his playing time with Manchester United and finally Stoke City, the former England and Liverpool star more fits the profile of an A-League marquee player than a successful owner-breeder.
But Owen, who arrived in Australia for the first time yesterday to watch his five-year-old stayer Brown Panther run in the Melbourne Cup, is far more than just the usual footballer turned bit-part racehorse owner having a bit of fun at the track with the lads.
It will be Owen's exploits with England and in the Premier League that make him the most sought after guest in the marquees at Flemington today and on Tuesday - albeit a reluctant centre of attention.
Contacted in England, Owen agreed to be interviewed about his Melbourne Cup runner after he returned from a trip to Indonesia but did not return subsequent calls.
And so far the Victoria Racing Club has not been able to get Owen to commit to any promotional appearances.
Perhaps that is a sign Owen does not want his deeds on the park to overshadow his now-substantial interest in racing, one that includes a multi-million pound investment in the Manor House Stables he built and now owns in partnership with Betfair co-founder Andrew Black.
Michael Owen says owning racehorses is a different experience to running out in front of 60,000 at Anfield. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Limited
Near his hometown of Chester, Owen turned 68ha of paddocks with a couple of old milking barns into an elaborate 100-horse enterprise.
It is where he bred Brown Panther, winner of seven of his 16 starts including the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2011 and this year's Goodwood Cup. And, now, with better than a fluking chance at taking out the Melbourne Cup.
Owen's interest in racing began as a child watching his father place his usual 50 pence bets on Saturday morning.
Then, as a teenage sensation at Liverpool in the late 90s, he bought his first horses.
One was called Etienne Lady, in honour of the World Cup goal he scored against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup at St Etienne. Another was Treble Heights, named after Liverpool achieved the treble. She is Brown Panther's dam.
But while Owen had some success at local tracks and used his football earnings to build the stables, Brown Panther has provided his breakthrough in the racing world.
Having raced her dam and bred the stayer himself, Owen was in tears when he won at Royal Ascot in 2011.
"He's been a superstar for us," he said at the time. "He consistently kept our name in lights ... he's taken us to some great places. He's a high-quality horse and I'm really fortunate to have bred him myself.''
Owning racehorses, Owen told the BBC before his trip to Australia, is a different experience to running out in front of 60,000 at Anfield.
"Your jockey and your horse are down at the start and you can't control anything," he said. "Whereas on a football field, you are in control of your own destiny."
Michael Owen has had some success at local tracks and used his football earnings to build the stables, but it is Brown Panther who has provided his breakthrough in the racing world. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Limited
The investment of Black in his stables and the appointment of trainer Tom Dascombe have given Owen's enterprise credibility. But, perhaps like England at the World Cup, he acknowledges there is still a gap between aspiration and achievement.
"It's like buying Manchester United," Owen said. "The investment doesn't stop there. You've got to buy 20 or 30 players as well."
In his badly disrupted time with Manchester United, Owen shared a passion for racing with Sir Alex Ferguson.
"We probably spoke more about horses than we did about racing," Owen said.
"'He's very passionate about racing, like I am."
Owen said, in almost everything, he is in it to win. But the Melbourne Cup journey with his wife and four children is a rare exception. This time, he feels fortunate just to have made it.
"Just to get over there and sample what a festival, what a carnival it is, it's going to be fantastic," he said before leaving England.
"Everyone tells me it is fantastic. It's the first time I'm going to say just to be there is an honour."
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