At the start of the new documentary series which follows both his and his family’s lives, Michael Owen is posed a question.’You’ve got a bit of a reputation for being a…’ the producer begins, before being cut off by the former striker mid-sentence.’Boring p***k!’ shouts the ex-Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle and England striker. Owen is clearly aware of the perception some have of him as dull, but there can be no doubting the passion he has for his life in football retirement.Owen’s love for horse racing radiates out of his every pore as he and daughter Gemma show Daily Mail Sport around the family’s luxurious Manor House Stables in rural Cheshire. ‘It hasn’t rained here for three months,’ Owen says, huddling under an umbrella, but refusing to allow a rare, heavy rain shower to dampen his enthusiasm.’This is my pride and joy. My little baby. I’m a geek. I know every horse, every owner and every race coming up. I could keep talking to you about horses for ages.’At his peak, Owen terrorised opposition defenders with his pace and finishing which saw him become one of football’s deadliest hitmen around. Now, his days are about speed of a different kind.Racing consumes Owen, as football once did. His Love Island star daughter, 23, is bidding to become a professional jockey and continues to train as a dressage rider after she finished fourth in the Magnolia Cup – a charity flat race – at Glorious Goodwood earlier this summer. ‘I’ve just fallen in love with the sport,’ Gemma says. ‘I don’t want to give it up.’ Racing is also now a family affair for the Owen family, with daughter Gemma and dad Michael showing Daily Mail Sport around their luxurious Manor House Stables in rural Cheshire Gemma is bidding to become a professional jockey and continues to train as a dressage rider ‘I’ve just fallen in love with the sport,’ Gemma says. ‘I don’t want to give it up’Michael has owned Manor House Stables for more than 20 years and now runs the business with Hugo Palmer as trainer. He employs more than 50 people, looking after more than 130 horses. It is his pride and joy.’It’s the most stressful thing in the world, but I wake up every morning and I’m excited to come here,’ Michael says. Racing is at the epicentre of Meet the Owens, a six-part Amazon series which has Michael and Gemma as leading lights.Michael has an array of top current or former footballers as owners of horses at his yard, including England’s new Barcelona ace Anthony Gordon, Tottenham’s Andy Robertson, Paul Scholes, Steve McManaman and Owen Hargreaves among many others. Sir Alex Ferguson and the squad of Premier League side Brighton are also involved, as are darts stars Luke Littler and Stephen Bunting. The list goes on and on.Michael ensures no stone is left unturned in his bid to achieve on-track success. He insists all of his horses are in stables with windows on either side, so their inquisitive nature can be satisfied. A swimming pool aids horses with their recovery and on the day we visit, seven-year-old Box To Box – one of the oldest horses in the yard – is the one to take the plunge. Box To Box is named because it is owned by a consortium which includes former midfielders Hargreaves and McManaman. It is noticeable as you tour Manor House how pristine the facility is. There are no piles of steaming horse manure. No stench. Nothing is too out of place, despite it being a working yard. Franny Norton, a former jockey who won just under 2,000 races in a 36-year career, buzzes about – his scouse accent and colourful language lighting up the yard. Norton acts as a riding advisor to Michael and helped Gemma to get up to speed with what’s needed to be a top jockey. ‘James Milner is the luckiest owner ever. Everything he touches turns into a superstar!’ says Michael, still only 46, as he shows off his incredible, top-of-the-range facility featuring equine swimming pool, electronic horse walker and even an ice bath.Racing is also now a family affair for the Owen family, with Gemma looking to make her way in the sport. ‘To be honest, it took me by surprise how much I have loved racing and learning a new skill,’ says Gemma, who now works alongside her father’s riders on a daily basis.’I thought I would do the Magnolia Cup and it would be an amazing experience, but then that would be it. I’ve always had horses and gone to the races, but spending more time at Manor House with the staff has allowed me to connect with the sport on a deeper level. I’ll continue and try and get my amateur jockey licence and then hopefully ride in a few more races. Gemma says she has connected with the sport of horseracing ‘on a deeper level’ recently Gemma dreams of winning a race – and her dad has been serious about the business for years’Juggling racing and dressage has been difficult, but I want to try and continue the two. I’ve done dressage for as long as I can remember. Racing is completely different. It’s definitely brought the family closer. It’s nice that we share that passion.’The dream would be to win a race. That’s going to be the target.’In 2022, Gemma starred on season eight of Love Island, finishing as a runner-up on the hit reality show. With 1.6million followers on Instagram, her love for racing as well as fashion – Gemma also runs a swimwear business – is a priceless opportunity for the sport to reach a younger audience at a time when it needs to do exactly that.’Racing is trying to attract younger people,’ Gemma says. ‘It has a fashion element to it which does that. With my background in horses, Manor House and my interest in fashion, I’d like to be able to bring other people into racing. That doesn’t mean they have to ride.’I like to show my followers into the racing world.’Michael’s successful football career – he retired in 2013 after 40 goals in 89 England appearances and as the last English winner of the Ballon d’Or – has laid the platform for his multi-million-pound racing business as well as his family’s luxurious life.But he is not playing at racing. For him, it’s more than serious.He has had success too, saddling winners at the highest level of flat racing in England as well as across the world. ‘If I get my teeth into something, I’m all in. It’s just how I am,’ Michael says.’It was the same with football and now it’s the same with racing. Everything you see here is the fruits of our labour. You can’t help but have a soft spot for the people you employ, the horses you train, the owners you meet and the friends you make.’I lasted in football till l I was 33, but I’d like to think this would be something I die doing.’Managing, owning and buying and selling top flat horses – as well as the daily costs of running a yard – means Michael’s Manor House Stables is a business of high costs and even higher stakes.Like in football, only one thing matters – winning.’I’ve got no qualms in saying it’s become a family business and that means a lot,’ he added. ‘It brings you a little bit closer. It’s been lovely and I can only see it continuing. Gemma is not stopping now she’s got a taste for riding. Managing, owning and buying and selling top flat horses means Michael’s Manor House Stables is a business of high costs and even higher stakes After years working in football, Michael is not playing at racing. For him, it’s more than serious’She’s going to be competing as an amateur and God knows where it’s going to take her. But she absolutely loves it. I didn’t feel pressure as a footballer. It came naturally.’I wouldn’t use the word pressure to describe running this business, but I do have to think about how I want it to run. It’s very different.’ Michael has four children in total and his son James – who is now clinically blind due to a rare eye condition – is also involved at Manor House behind the scenes.’There are so many women jockeys coming through the ranks. The likes of Hollie Doyle and Saffie Osborne are incredible role models. I look up to them and admire them for what they’ve done,’ Gemma adds.’I’m just trying to take it step by step. I’m still so new to the sport. You don’t appreciate the strength jockeys need. I had to go through a lot of fitness tests to compete in the Magnolia Cup.’That process was so hard. Jockeys are very, very strong. I’ve got a new-found respect for them. I would also love to do a Grand Prix on my dressage horse. I’ve not yet been able to compete at that level.’My horse is very experienced and he’s very talented. However, he is not a straightforward ride.’I feel like I’m more involved with the family business now. It does feel more special. My brother takes an interest in the business side of things and my mum has become more involved as well.’It’s nice that it’s brought us all together and I can share my passion for racing with my parents.’All six episodes of Meet the Owens will be available to stream on Amazon Prime Video from August 28.