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Paul Nicholls (left) has a close relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson.

After months of counting down the days in eager anticipation of the biggest four days in the jumps racing calendar, 65,000 people will flock to Gloucestershire for a mouthwatering opening day.

Among the masses making the annual pilgrimage to horse racing’s Mecca, keen-eyed football fans might expect to catch a glimpse of former Liverpool striker Michael Owen, who has been in regular attendance at the meeting for more than 25 years.



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Owen’s equine love affair began on his first visit to the famed meeting, just months before starring for Glenn Hoddle’s England at the 1998 World cup when the 18-year-old met AP McCoy and became captivated by the sport.

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Fast forward 27 years, Owen has established himself as a major player within the flat racing sphere and runs the expanding Manor House Stables operation with trainer Hugo Palmer in Cheshire.

In a recent interview with BoyleSports, Owen conceded that his now heart lies in flat racing due to his vested interest in horses running in the meetings.

Most of the time we have horses involved in the meetings and we know the people,” he said.

“Whereas the jumps, it's bloody freezing cold.

Everybody's tanked up on Guinness, it's so busy and there's loads of traffic getting there.”

Ahead of the festival, it remains to be seen whether Owen will be able to resist seeing star attraction Constitution Hill’s bid for Champion Hurdle glory in the flesh.

“If one of our big owners invites me, I'll probably go.

So we'll see.”

After all, his long-time horse racing associate and former football boss Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to be in attendance, with the former Manchester United manager having six horses with live chances running in this year’s festival across the opening three days.

Notably, on Thursday, Ferguson runner Protektorat will attempt to defend his crown in a hotly-contested Ryanair Chase while L’Eau du Sud will feature on opening day in the Arkle.

Speaking to the winner’s enclosure about his relationship with Ferguson, Owen said: “Our passions absolutely crossed paths, I think he only signed me so he could share tips.

“He has had two horses trained at my stables, so we have a lot in common, and, of course, he is retired now and following his horses around the world and having great success so it’s great to see.

We used to talk at Manchester United about horses and tips.”

Although Owen’s move to Manchester United made him a divisive figure for many Liverpool fans, he is not the only former Red to venture into the world of horse racing.

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Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson and Adam Lallana partnered with Owen in buying flat racehorse Mr McCann in 2021.

While ‘The Macca and Growler Partnership’ comprised of former Liverpool stars Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler came close to achieving success in the 2002 Arkle when their runner Seebald was second best behind Moscow Flyer.


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