Gemma Owen has ‘newfound respect’ as Love Island star prepares to make racing debut
Michael Owen’s stunning daughter Gemma has admitted she has a newfound respect for jockey’s as she prepares for her racing debut despite a glittering dressage career
Gemma Owen grew up around horses(Image: https://www.instagram.com/gemowen_1/)
Gemma Owen has admitted she has a “newfound respect” for jockeys as she readies for her racing debut.
Gemma, the stunning daughter of Premier League icon Michael Owen, has competed in international dressage, but she is now turning her hand to racing as she jumps into the saddle at August’s Glorious Festival – aiming to win the Magnolia Cup.
However, Gemma has admitted the two different disciplines are world’s apart as she puts in the hard yards alongside her dad’s racehorse trainer Hugo Palmer at their Manor House base. Speaking ahead of her race, Gemma said: “I have been asked to do the Magnolia Cup for a few years but I never said yes because I didn’t feel I could dedicate my all to the training.
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“And it’s such a big switch from dressage to horse racing. This year I felt it was the right time, and it’s so different so far but I’m loving every minute of it.
“The training has taken a bit to adjust to but it’s nice seeing what goes on behind the scenes and I’ve got a newfound respect for jockeys!”
And in a separate interview, she expanded further: “The fitness test to be a jockey is no joke. The exercises they have you doing…I am getting big strong arms and biceps which I definitely didn’t have before.
“I had never sat on a racehorse until a few months ago but it’s all given me a newfound respect for the staff, the cold, winter mornings, everything that goes into it.
“It runs like clockwork and it’s been amazing to be part of so far.”
Gemma rose to fame when she was part of ITV’s hit reality TV show Love Island back in 2022 – where she finished runner-up with Luca Bish. However, their relationship didn’t last and they split three months after filming wrapped.
