Newcastle Stars Who Love Horse Racing

When your football club is in close proximity to a racecourse, where horse racing bets are placed on a weekly basis, it comes as no surprise that footballers and fans alike will have an affinity for the long noses. Newcastle, of course, fits the bill in this regard, with its underrated racecourse playing host to some of the liveliest racing events in the UK. However, there are some current and former Newcastle Utd players and managers who take their love of the GG’s to the next level, with some of their personally bred and trained charges being backed by Grand National betting options. Here we highlight some of the most horse-mad players and managers who have funded their passion for racing by competing at the highest levels of football – some of them now being owners and trainers to horses that routinely appear in racing odds lines up and down the land.

The roars of the St. James’ faithful can be heard at Newcastle racecourse, with the two sporting venues enjoying fanatical support from local sports fans

Michael Owen

By his own admission, by the time Michael Owen arrived on Tyneside his hamstrings were fit for the scrap yard – his best days well and truly behind him. With so much time spent on the bench or at home resting up, while earning a huge weekly salary, Owen turned his attention from events on the football pitch to racecourses around the country.

Such was, and is, his interest in the sport that he is now a revered owner of racehorses. He co-owns the Manor House Stables in Cheshire, out of which trainer Tom Dascombe operates. Thankfully for those punters who back Owen’s charges, his horses are nowhere near as injury prone as he was while he was at Newcastle.

Chris Wood

Chris Wood knows all about Michael Owen’s connection to horse racing, because the Newcastle frontman co-owns horses who train and stable at Owen’s Manor House compound. One of the most successful is Breathalyze, who out on the flats has racked up a good number of wins and podium finishes.

Wood is one of many Premier League stars who enjoy forming racing syndicates with their friends and teammates, so that together they can cheer on their racehorses.

Kevin Keegan

This Newcastle legend’s father was big into horse racing and passed that passion on to his son, who when he wasn’t going on mazy runs towards goal, was watching thoroughbred horses eat up the furlongs and fences at some of the UK’s biggest race days.

Once his football pay packets allowed it, he was able to purchase his very own racehorses, most of which were trained by his ex-teammate at Southampton, Mick Channon.

Joey Barton

This little midfield terrier was always something of an enigma, both on and off the pitch, at times speaking eloquently, only to then come out with an outrageous rush of blood to the head, either on the pitch or on social media.

A large part of his persona was dedicated to horse racing, which he has followed diligently for years, thanks mainly to the fact that he has owned a number of racehorses, including the likes of Crying Lightning. He is known for naming his horses after UK indie bands.

Micky Quinn

Quinn is one of the greatest goal scorers ever to have worn a Newcastle jersey, knocking in net busters like they were going out of fashion between 1989 and 1992. However, when his playing days were done, he grew tired of the beautiful game and turned to equestrianism instead, becoming a trainer with his very own stable complex in Newmarket.

Unfortunately for Quinn his training operation was thrown into disarray when he was alleged to have not cared for some of his animals to the high standards required, meaning his training license was revoked for a time.

Despite his run-in with the authorities, Quinn continued to train racehorses until just this year, when he finally declared that he would be retiring from the sport for good, with only two registered racehorses left at his stables.