Michael Owen

SAPPORO, Japan -- "Wherever you are, the important thing is that aftercare is recognised as a shared responsibility for owners, breeders, participants and the authorities." So said Michael Owen, the keynote speaker at the eighth annual conference of the International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR). The words of the former England footballer underlined the message that has been at the forefront of IFAR since its inception in 2016 under the drive of the charitable wing of Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum's Godolphin operation. Its formation has brought about a...

Already a winner of one of the valuable handicaps that make up the Bahrain Turf Series back on Dec. 8, Victorious Racing's Isle of Jura (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) negotiated the hike into black-type company with aplomb, winning Friday's $150,000 Listed Crown Prince's Cup with a fair bit of authority. Immediately dropped out to the tail, Isle of Jura was given a quiet ride by Callum Shepherd, as the commonly owned Rollajam (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) galloped them along in advance of American Flag (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). The pacemaker...

The third year of the 10-race Bahrain Turf Series begins at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club on Friday. In November, Sir Alex Ferguson scored a memorable win with Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the $1-million G2 Bahrain International Trophy. A pair of owners who also have backgrounds in football, Michael Owen and Harry Redknapp, have runners in one of the first races of the Bahrain Turf Series, the Al Muharraq Cup By Texel Air over 2000 metres on the grass. Trainer Phil McEntee sends out the gelding Moktasaab...

Following a difficult week for racing which saw four pass away--including Jess Whalley, who collapsed and died on scene at Michael Owen's Manor House Stable Tuesday morning, BHA's Chief Executive Julie Harrington issued the following statement on Saturday: "This has been a tragic week for all of us in the racing community. "Jess Whalley was a shining example of what makes British racing so special. She dedicated herself to providing outstanding care to horses and it was while doing this that her life was suddenly and tragically cut short. On...

A 25-year-old woman working at Michael Owen's Manor House Stables, collapsed and died on Tuesday morning, police said. "It is with deep sadness that we have to announce that a much-valued member of our team died at work this morning," Manor House Stables tweeted. "The family have been informed and both the family and the team at Manor House request privacy at this time." The woman fell ill at around 8:50 a.m. at the stables in Malpas, Cheshire. Emergency services attended the yard, but the woman was pronounced dead at...

   Andrew Black is renowned in the gambling industry, being co-founder of Betfair, one of the biggest exchanges in the world.     However, there is much more to the 59-year-old than being the man who revolutionised betting; he is also hugely passionate about breeding and playing cards.    Black got to the semi-finals of the world Bridge Championships last week and his breeding endeavors at Chasemore Farm continue to go from strength to strength.     He will bid for Group 1 glory at Haydock on Saturday when homebred Brad The...

Classic-winning trainer Hugo Palmer is to succeed Tom Dascombe at Michael Owen's Manor House Stables in Cheshire. Confirming the news on Twitter on Thursday, Owen said, "I am absolutely thrilled to announce that multiple Group 1 and Classic-winning trainer, Hugo Palmer, is to join Manor House Stables as our trainer and will be taking up his appointment in readiness for the new season. "Hugo's CV is there for all to see and it's a huge coup for the area to welcome one of the country's leading trainers. MHS has made...

Trainer Tom Dascombe said he is still looking for a new yard from which to train after it was announced on Dec. 16 that he and Michael Owen were parting ways. Dascombe trained from Owen's Manor House Stables for 12 years, his black-type winners headed by the G1 Irish St Leger winner and popular stayer Brown Panther (Ire) (Shirocco {Ger}). "I'm still here training at Manor House Stables and looking to find somewhere to live," Dascombe said. "There have been a few attempts, but I haven't secured a yard yet...

Trainer Tom Dascombe will leave Michael Owen's Manor House Stables after a 12-year stint. While Owen said on Thursday morning that they part "on great terms", Dascombe admitted later in the day that it was a "complete shock" when he was informed of the change two days ago. Dascombe's greatest success during his Manor House tenure came when winning the G1 Irish St Leger with Brown Panther (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}), the popular stayer raced by Owen and Andrew Black whose numerous group wins also included the G2 Goodwood Cup and...

The opening hour of last week's Yorkshire Oaks card was about as good as it gets for a sales firm just days out from its flagship stand. Thirty-five minutes before Goffs UK was firmly in the spotlight with the running of its time-honoured Premier Yearling S., Premier Yearling Sale graduate Zain Claudette (Ire) (No Nay Never) provided a welcome introduction with victory in the G2 Lowther S. Bought for what now feels like a staggering bargain (£20,000) last summer, Zain Claudette has won three of her first four starts including...

Michael Owen and Andrew Black's Manor House Stables has partnered with equine nutrition and care product supplier NAF as an official yard sponsor. "As a former elite sportsman, I am fully aware of the fine margins that can be the difference between success and failure," said Owen. "In the same way that footballers need to get the right nutritional balance between fuel and hydration for optimum performance, it's important that horses get the right balance too. This is why I am delighted to welcome NAF onboard as a main sponsor...