Ex-footballer Michael Owen impresses on jockey debut at Ascot

By David Stokes, CNN
5 minute read
Updated 10:51 AM EST, Fri November 24, 2017
Michael Owen made his jockey debut in a charity race at Ascot on Friday.
Michael Owen's jockey debut —
Michael Owen made his jockey debut in a charity race at Ascot on Friday.
John Phillips/Getty Images
The former footballer was riding Calder Prince, trained by Tom Dascombe who is based at Owen's Cheshire stables
Michael Owen's jockey debut —
The former footballer was riding Calder Prince, trained by Tom Dascombe who is based at Owen's Cheshire stables
Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Owen and Calder Prince finished second behind Golden Wedding, ridden by trained vet Tom Chatfield-Roberts in the orange hat.
Michael Owen's jockey debut —
Owen and Calder Prince finished second behind Golden Wedding, ridden by trained vet Tom Chatfield-Roberts in the orange hat.
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Owen said: "It was such good fun and I'm really pleased with the whole outcome. My horse ran a cracking race and I'm delighted to be second."
Michael Owen's jockey debut —
Owen said: "It was such good fun and I'm really pleased with the whole outcome. My horse ran a cracking race and I'm delighted to be second."
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Owen was greeted by Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall after the race.
Michael Owen's jockey debut —
Owen was greeted by Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall after the race.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Owen said: "You never know, I'll probably end up doing it again. I'd probably stick to the charity races because it's great raising money for charities."
Michael Owen's jockey debut —
Owen said: "You never know, I'll probably end up doing it again. I'd probably stick to the charity races because it's great raising money for charities."
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Michael Owen has already established himself as a successful racehorse owner and breeder.
Michael Owen's jockey debut —
Michael Owen has already established himself as a successful racehorse owner and breeder.
Simon Stacpoole/Offside Sports Photography
Owen established the Manor House Stables in Cheshire, England in 2007. He and his wife Louise converted it from an old cattle barn and trainer Tom Dascombe has more than 100 horses based there.
Michael Owen's jockey debut —
Owen established the Manor House Stables in Cheshire, England in 2007. He and his wife Louise converted it from an old cattle barn and trainer Tom Dascombe has more than 100 horses based there.
Simon Stacpoole/Offside Sports Photography
Owen was never allowed to get on a horse during his footballing days in case of injury, so he's had to learn to become a jockey in just five months. Here he is getting some advice from retain jockey, Richard Kingscote.
Michael Owen's jockey debut —
Owen was never allowed to get on a horse during his footballing days in case of injury, so he's had to learn to become a jockey in just five months. Here he is getting some advice from retain jockey, Richard Kingscote.
Simon Stacpoole/Offside Sports Photography
Owen (L) takes to the gallops to practice on board Calder Prince, the grey gelding he will will ride at Ascot.
Michael Owen's jockey debut —
Owen (L) takes to the gallops to practice on board Calder Prince, the grey gelding he will will ride at Ascot.
Simon Stacpoole/Offside Sports Photography/Simon Stacpoole / Offside
Calder Prince is described by trainer Dascombe as "a lovely horse, a very enthusiastic, very honest and genuine individual who loves being a race horse."
Michael Owen's jockey debut —
Calder Prince is described by trainer Dascombe as "a lovely horse, a very enthusiastic, very honest and genuine individual who loves being a race horse."
Simon Stacpoole/Offside
Dascombe believes that If it was a professional race at Ascot, over seven furlongs, the horse would probably be favorite.
Michael Owen's jockey debut —
Dascombe believes that If it was a professional race at Ascot, over seven furlongs, the horse would probably be favorite.
Simon Stacpoole/Offside Sports Photography
"Calder Prince gives me the best chance of winning, and this was never just about taking part," says Owen.
Michael Owen's jockey debut —
"Calder Prince gives me the best chance of winning, and this was never just about taking part," says Owen.
Simon Stacpoole/Offside Sports Photography
"Riding sometimes looks easy but having tried it myself I realize that it's just the jockeys making it look straightforward," adds Owen. "It has definitely increased my respect for jockeys."
Michael Owen's jockey debut —
"Riding sometimes looks easy but having tried it myself I realize that it's just the jockeys making it look straightforward," adds Owen. "It has definitely increased my respect for jockeys."
Simon Stacpoole/Offside Sports Photography
"Michael's done remarkably well, he's had a couple of tumbles but he's got back up and got on with it," according to Dascombe.
Michael Owen's jockey debut —
"Michael's done remarkably well, he's had a couple of tumbles but he's got back up and got on with it," according to Dascombe.
Simon Stacpoole/Offside Sports
Owen will line up against 10 other riders in the Prince's Countryside Fund Charity race at Ascot.
Michael Owen's jockey debut —
Owen will line up against 10 other riders in the Prince's Countryside Fund Charity race at Ascot.
Simon Stacpoole/Offside Sports Photography/Simon Stacpoole / Offside
Owen's stables have had 599 domestic flat race winners and several victories on foreign soil including Brown Panther in the 2015 $1 million Dubai Gold Cup.
Michael Owen's jockey debut —
Owen's stables have had 599 domestic flat race winners and several victories on foreign soil including Brown Panther in the 2015 $1 million Dubai Gold Cup.
Warren Little/Getty Images
Owen enjoyed a hugely successful career as a footballer. He was crowned European Footballer of the Year in 2001 when he was a striker at Liverpool, before going on to play for Real Madrid, Newcastle, Manchester United and Stoke City.
Michael Owen's jockey debut —
Owen enjoyed a hugely successful career as a footballer. He was crowned European Footballer of the Year in 2001 when he was a striker at Liverpool, before going on to play for Real Madrid, Newcastle, Manchester United and Stoke City.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Owen also played 89 games for England between 1998 and 2008, scoring 40 goals.
Michael Owen's jockey debut —
Owen also played 89 games for England between 1998 and 2008, scoring 40 goals.
Ben Radford /Allsport
Owen is not the first sportsman to switch to the saddle. Olympic champion track cyclist Victoria Pendleton entered the Foxhunters Chase at 2016 Cheltenham Festival.
Michael Owen's jockey debut —
Owen is not the first sportsman to switch to the saddle. Olympic champion track cyclist Victoria Pendleton entered the Foxhunters Chase at 2016 Cheltenham Festival.
Getty Images
Pendleton competed over the jumps and exceeded expectations with a fifth placed finish out of 24 runners. She received a huge cheer from the crowd on Gold Cup day.
Michael Owen's jockey debut —
Pendleton competed over the jumps and exceeded expectations with a fifth placed finish out of 24 runners. She received a huge cheer from the crowd on Gold Cup day.
ADRIAN DENNIS/Getty Images
Ex Footballer Michael Owen impresses on jockey debut

Story highlights

Michael Owen makes jockey debut

He finished second on Calder Prince at Ascot

Owen enjoyed hugely successful football career

CNN  — 

He’d never even sat on a horse until five months ago, let alone race one.

But on Friday, former England international footballer Michael Owen made his debut as a jockey and finished an impressive second place in a charity race at one of the world’s most prestigious racecourses, Ascot.

The 37-year-old, who is already a successful racehorse owner and breeder, was one of 10 amateur riders competing in the Prince’s Countryside Fun Charity Race, on board the aptly named Calder Prince.

Owen said it was fastest he'd ever been on a horse
Owen said it was fastest he'd ever been on a horse
Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

“The accomplishment of finishing second, being safe and sound, and having a great time was amazing. There was plenty of good to come out of the day.” said Owen who was presented with a prize by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall after the race.

Owen and Calder Prince briefly hit the front of the pack after rounding the home turn but they were run out of it in the final stages by the winner, Golden Wedding, ridden by Tom Chatfield-Roberts.

Owen celebrates with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales
Owen celebrates with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales
Chris Jackson/Getty Images

“It was the fastest I’ve ever been on a horse,” Owen said. “All of a sudden I was in front – I was t