Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterLike many retired footballers, the competitive itch remains for Michael Owen.But rather than drop down the leagues or enter the dugout, the former Ballon d'Or winner has turned away from football to indulge his post-playing competitive instinct.At Manor House Stables, his training operation in Cheshire, Owen has built a business that combines his love of horse racing with the same drive that saw him become one of English football's most prolific goalscorers.Owen on his drive to make Manor House the best "I dont really like just taking part I want to be at the very top table," Owen tells FourFourTwo when asked about the scale of his ambition for the stables."Were mixing it now but theres a long way to go to be one of the best. Being the best is possibly an impossible thing when you think of the superpowers, but weve definitely got room for improvement. You may like Michael Owen discusses the horses he trains at his Manor House stables and their famous owners I had two months to lose two stone it was pretty mad, but I havent sat on a horse since Michael Owen describes taking place in a horse race at Ascot in 2017 "I'm gonna take it to the Moon": KSI tells FourFourTwo how he plans to get his new club Dagenham & Redbridge into the Premier League "What do we need to do? We need more horses, better quality horses. How do you get more horses? You need more owners, wealthier owners I suppose if you want to be brutally honest about it. How do we do that? We need results and a facility to look after people that want to have a good time. And how do we do that? We have to be at the cutting edge of science and get out there when theres a big event on and there might be potential owners there."Youve got to get your arse off your comfy chair and start pressing flesh. You have to have drive and ambition, you have to be here at the crack of dawn, learning your business, getting the best out of your staff, motivating them. It all starts with a target, which is to be the best in the business.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over."If youd seen us 20 years ago, when I set this place up, and at any stage in between, its been constant progress. That cant stop and wont stop while Im here and Im going to be here for a very long time hopefully."Owen's focus at Manor House is on flat racing, which precludes a crack at the Grand National, but does he dream of winning one of the other big races one day?"The Derby, absolutely, although people ask me whats the dream, and having this business, employing all these people, in many ways Im living the dream now," he continues. "And its like saying If you win the league or the Ballon dOr as a footballer, is that the dream, is that it then, youve achieved it? No its bloody not, I want to do it again and again. Who the hell wants to do something thats so good once and doesnt want to do it again? What to read next Henry Winter meets Merlin Rhl, about Everton, education and his new photography book Barry Hearn wants sustainability first, then success for his new football club Liam Gallagher bought my house! Tony Adams on his �4m property deal with the Oasis frontman "If I won the Derby, I wouldnt put For Sale signs up. So yes, it is a dream to win it, but this place isnt stopping regardless of what we achieve. I will die doing this, whereas I had to stop at football at 33. I can continue running this place forever, trying to be successful, and the beauty is you really enjoy it along the way."Its a constant joy following horses, going to Royal Ascot for a week, Glorious Goodwood, I might go to the Breeders Cup in Kentucky or the Melbourne Cup in Australia, travelling the world seeing your horses running. Its just the most incredible business."I dont have to run around for 90 minutes any more blood, sweat and tears. I can just enjoy it."All six episodes of Meet the Owens are available now to stream on Amazon Prime VideoTOPICSLiverpoolPremier LeagueJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromChris FlanaganSenior Staff Writer
