Similar to numerous former players, Michael Owen still harbors a strong desire to compete.
However, instead of taking management roles or playing in lower divisions, the ex-Ballon d’Or recipient shifted away from soccer to satisfy his drive for competition after retirement.
Through Manor House Stables, his training facility located in Cheshire, Owen established an enterprise merging his passion for horse racing with the fierce ambition that previously established him as a premier striker in English football.
Owen discusses his ambition to elevate Manor House to the top
“I have little interest in merely participating – my goal is to compete among the elite,” Owen reveals to FourFourTwo regarding his grand vision for the racing facility.
“We are making strides, yet there remains a significant distance to travel before reaching the upper echelon. Claiming the absolute top spot might be almost unreachable considering the established industry giants, but there is undoubtedly potential for us to advance.
“What steps must we take? We require a larger number of horses, and higher quality ones at that. How do you acquire more horses? To speak candidly, you require a broader base of owners—preferably wealthier ones. How do we secure them? By delivering strong performance on the track and offering an outstanding venue for people seeking an enjoyable experience. And how is that achieved? We must stay at the forefront of scientific methods and actively network at major events where prospective investors are present.
“You need to step away from your comfort zone and begin building real connections. It demands intense focus and determination; you must arrive early in the morning, master every detail of the operation, inspire your team, and extract their full potential. Everything originates from a clear objective: becoming the leading operation in the industry.
“Looking back two decades to when I established this facility, or at any point since, our journey has been defined by steady growth. That forward momentum must not and will not cease while I am in charge—and I anticipate being here for many years to come.”
Owen concentrates primarily on flat racing at Manor House, ruling out a challenge for the Grand National, yet does he harbor ambitions of securing victory in another marquee event?
“The Derby, without a doubt, though when people inquire about my ultimate dream, running this enterprise and providing jobs for so many staff means I am already living it to an extent,” he adds. “It resembles the question, ‘If you win a championship or the Ballon d’Or in soccer, is your quest over?’ Absolutely not—I want to repeat that success continuously. Who would accomplish something so extraordinary once and have no desire to replicate it?
“Securing a Derby victory wouldn’t prompt me to put up a ‘For Sale’ sign. So while winning it is certainly an ambition, this operation will keep pushing forward no matter what milestones we reach. I intend to pursue this for the rest of my life, unlike my football career which ended at 33. I can manage this venue indefinitely while striving for success, and the best part is experiencing complete enjoyment throughout the journey.
“It brings non-stop pleasure—tracking the horses, spending a full week at Royal Ascot, attending Glorious Goodwood, or traveling globally to events like the Breeders’ Cup in Kentucky or Australia’s Melbourne Cup to watch your runners compete. It truly is an extraordinary line of work.
“I no longer need to push through 90 minutes of intense physical exertion, sweat, and strain. Now, I can simply relish the experience.”
Every episode of Meet the Owens can currently be streamed on Amazon Prime Video
