Michael Owen’s gorgeous daughter set to make sporting debut as she follows in dad’s footsteps
Michael Owen’s daughter Gemma is back in the spotlight and she will be following in the sporting footsteps of her England football icon father
Gemma Owen is set to make her jockey debut just like her father Michael Owen(Image: Instagram/@gemowen_1)
Michael Owen’s daughter Gemma is set to make her debut as a jockey in the Markel Magnolia Cup on Ladies’ Day at Goodwood.
Her England icon father also rode in a charity race in 2017 at Ascot. The 22-year-old appeared on season eight of Love Island UK in 2022 and is also an accomplished dressage rider who has represented Great Britain. She has been competing since she was 11.
Former Liverpool and Manchester United star Michael also has an affinity for horses, founding Manor House Stables in 2006, and he is now working with Classic-winning trainer Hugo Palmer on the Flat. His stable houses over 140 horses, including his daughter’s dressage competitors.
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But the two will cross disciplines in July when Gemma gets a leg up on a racehorse and rides in an all-female jockey charity race. Although Gemma has experience riding dressage horses, the speed of the track will be new to her and like all other jockeys competing, she will be undergoing intensive training.
The Markel Magnolia Cup takes place on July 30 at Goodwood Racecourse in Sussex. In the 15 years since its inception, it has raised £3.5million for charities supporting women and children.
All riders, including Gemma, will be trained at the British Racing School in preparation for the event. The TV personality has been working with retired jockey Franny Norton. Gemma’s father has already undertaken a similar challenge, riding Calder Prince at Ascot nine years ago, finishing second in The Prince’s Countryside Fund Charity Race.
Speaking ahead of her jockey debut, Gemma said: “I’m really looking forward to taking part in the Markel Magnolia Cup this year. Believe it or not, I had never sat on a racehorse until a couple of months ago and the training so far has been humbling to say the least.
“Spending more time at Manor House Stables, seeing how a racing yard runs like clockwork and getting out onto the gallops, has been an incredible experience.
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“It is an even bigger challenge than I initially expected but I’m excited to take part in such a prestigious fundraising event which raises so much money for charities supporting women and children.”
Gemma will hope to have as enjoyable a spin as her father did in 2017, who gave the experience a glowing post-race review. Michael said: “I love it, it was better than I expected.
“It went really quick early on. That was probably the fastest I’ve ever been on a horse. It was a long straight and I got very tired on the last furlong. I’m a million miles away. I’m making a start and considering I’ve only sat on a horse for the first time six months ago, I’m chuffed.”
