By Barry McEneaney
Former England striker Michael Owen has high hopes for Brown Panther ahead of his assignment in the Group One Palmerstown House Estate Irish St Leger at the Curragh on Sunday.
Owen, who will travel to HQ for the second day of Irish Champions Weekend, owns the son of Shirocco in partnership with Betfair co-founder Andrew Black.
Brown Panther finished third in the race behind Royal Diamond two years ago and has proven the flag bearer for Owen and Black’s Manor House Stables, where Tom Dascombe trains.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport ahead of the final Classic of the season, Owen said: “Brown Panther is ready to go and were excited to be going.
“He’s in good form, although he’s probably had a hard enough season already.
“We’ve probably raced him once or twice more than in previous seasons.”
The six-year-old won his first two start of the season before going down fighting in his three most recent outings, and Owen believes his raider will be primed to run a big race after a 45-day break.
“I think he’s a better horse this season than he’s ever been,” he added.
“He obviously won a couple of group races around Chester (Ormonde Stakes) and Sandown (Henry II Stakes) and then he went and ran a great race in the Ascot Gold Cup.
“He’s come second in a Group Two in France (Prix Maurice de Nieuil at Longchamp) and ran in the Goodwood Cup and come third in that, so he’s kept his form well.
“We’ve given him a little break before the Irish St Leger but were going there in good form.
“At the start of the season we targeted the Irish St Leger as a race we ought to go for because of the conditions; the trip, the ground that’s likely to be there.
“As everyone knows, he handles a softer surface, so were not bothered about a softer surface if that comes up.”
“That’s why I still have to work in football - to pay for the horse racing”
Expanding on his passion for racing and his love of his star performer, Owen gushed: “I couldn’t have asked for a better horse than Brown Panther. He’s so tough, he’s so durable, he’s got everything really.
“He sends us to the best racetracks on the best days. I’ve travelled the world with him.”
“I’ve been in the racing game for a number of years now, owning horses for over 16 years.
There’s people that have owned more horses and better horses than me. But to have my own piece in the game, to have put money where my mouth is in many ways, is a great thrill for one, and it’s a great industry to be involved in.
“When you’ve got a passion for something, it’s really exciting to be part of it, and horses like this (Brown Panther) reignite that passion every time you watch them run.”
“We started the season with just over 90 (horses in training) and then, quite naturally, you lose one or two here and there through sellers, claimers and injury.
“That’s why I still have to work in football - to pay for the horse racing.”
