Two of the United Kingdom’s most famous sports have close links, with many stars of football typically crossing over to try and chance their luck in horse racing.
However, many have endured mixed fortunes, as there hasn’t been a success across the board. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that many football figures typically search to find the Breeders’ Cup results by TwinSpires.
But, which stars from the sport have indicated their love of horse racing?
Sir Alex Ferguson
It would be challenging to start anywhere else other than the Premier League’s most successful manager- Sir Alex Ferguson. The Scotsman managed Manchester United between 1986 and 2013, winning a staggering 38 trophies during his 26-year tenure.
However, after winning his final Premier League title in 2012-13, Ferguson announced his retirement from manager. But, Fergie’s love of horses has been apparent throughout his career, citing inspiration from watching the sport with his father at a young age.
His love for the sport almost cut short his career at United after a falling out with owner J.P. McManus. But, success has continued to follow the former manager on the track. One of his best moments on track came in March 2024, as Protektorat won the G1 Ryanair Chase.
Cheltenham Festival success also continued in 2025, as big-money purchase Caldwell Potter won the G2 Jack Richards Novices’ Chase and G1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase. However, Ferguson also enjoyed home-bred success with Spirit Dancer, who has won back-to-back editions of the Bahrain International Trophy.
Michael Owen
When he burst onto the scene, Michael Owen was regarded as one of the most promising young English strikers of his generation. Owen would live up to that reputation during the late 90s and early 2000s, scoring 118 goals in 216 games for Liverpool.
On his debut, he became the younger scorer for the Reds aged 17 years and 143 days. However, his career at Anfield came to an end in 2004 after signing for Real Madrid. Despite an injury plagued spell in Spain, he scored 13 goals in 36 games, before returning to England with Newcastle and later Manchester United.
At the latter, he would win his only Premier League title. But, it could be argued that Owen’s biggest passion was always horse racing. He would later achieve notable success on the track, which included home-bred Brown Panther, who would gain Royal Ascot success before landing the Dubai Gold Cup in 2015.
His love for racing also led to him taking part in charity race in November 2017, eventually finishing second aboard Calder Prince at Ascot.
Mick Channon
It could be argued that few footballers have achieved as much success in horse racing as Mick Channon. Channon came through the youth ranks at Southampton, before making an immediate impact in the first-team. During a 12-year stay with the Saints, Channon would score 157 goals in 391 games.
His success on the field would continue away from the Saints after joining Manchester City in 1977. However, the love for his boyhood club would later see him return to Southampton in 1979, scoring 28 goals in 119 games across a three-year stay. Following the end of his Southampton stay, he would become somewhat of a journey man, enjoying stints at Newcastle United, Bristol Rovers, Norwich City, and Portsmouth before retiring in 1987.
Channon also enjoyed an excellent international record for England, scoring 21 goals in 46 games. Following his retirement, Channon immediately got into racing, and gained a training license in 1990. He would move to the respect West Ilsley Stables in Newbury, which was previously owned by The Queen.
Channon would gain a massive following, training over 200 horses, and reaching a career-best 123 winners in the 2002 season. His biggest racing success came in the Irish 1,000 Guineas with Samitar. In 2022, he announced his retirement from training, leaving his license to his son Jack.
Kevin Doyle
Kevin Doyle is one of the surprising Premier League stars that has achieved notable success in horse racing. The former Republic of Ireland international came through the ranks at St Patrick’s Athletic, before making a name for himself at Cork City.
He would later enjoy a four-year stint at Reading before making a then-club record move to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Doyle would achieve a notable stay in the West Midlands, scoring 30 goals in 164 games, before departing on a permanent move to the Colorado Rapids in 2015.
Doyle would enjoy two years in the MLS with the Rapids, scoring 17 goals in 75 games before announcing his retirement. Since finishing his playing career, Doyle has put money into his own stable in County Carlow. He has a big roster of runners in this modern day, and he regularly targets big races at Galway and the Curragh.