“The apple of my eye”

Brown Panther has not only been a wonderful flag bearer for his sire Shirocco, but has provided his co-owner and breeder Michael Owen with some of his most memorable days.

From the moment he stepped onto the racecourse in the November of his juvenile year, Brown Panther showed promise as, despite not looking like an early type, he duly won, confirming that this was a star in the making.

Two further wins as a three-year-old earned him a trip to Royal Ascot. Lining up against 17 quality rivals in the King George V Stakes, Brown Panther could not have been more impressive, winning by no fewer than six lengths.

He rounded off his three-year-old campaign with a second in the G1 St Leger and bounced back from a disappointing reappearance at four with a seven-length victory in the Listed Pontefract Castle Stakes, earning him a well-deserved first Black type win. He then travelled to Ireland for their St Leger and in a blanket finish with just half a length separating the first four home, he could have been considered an unlucky third.

This year, he is on better form than ever, landing the Pontefract Castle Stakes for the second time before last week’s Goodwood triumph, a win which clearly delighted his owner.

“It was right up there with my best football memories. The occasion, the track, the atmosphere – all amazing” said Owen.

He went on to say, “The excitement and anticipation I get from racing are just the same as football. The difference is that in football you are more in control of the situation, whereas in racing the result is out of your hands. When they make their way to the starting stalls there is nothing you can do – just hope. But then that’s all part of the thrill.”

Brown Panther’s dam, Treble Heights, is the only mare he owns, although he has four in partnership with Andrew Black. Shirocco was selected as a suitable stallion, partly due to his very good looks according to Owen, but also after he and trainer Tom Dascombe had studied their pedigrees. It is clearly a cross that has worked brilliantly.

He has a yearling full-brother to Brown Panther and Owen said of the colt, “I might be slightly biased but this colt is a real beauty!”

Treble Heights is also back into foal to Shirocco this year, meaning that another full brother or sister to Brown Panther will hopefully be running in 2016.

The fact that Brown Panther is a homebred gives Owen particular pleasure come race day.

“If one of your bought horses in training wins that is exciting, but homebreds are like part of the family and any win is a massive deal. As you would support a son or daughter at their school sports day, so you are hoping and wishing your horse runs well – for the horse as much as for the owner”.

Plans are for Brown Panther to head back to Ireland for the Irish Leger, with the aim being a tilt at the Melbourne Cup this year.

Due to his football commitments in previous years, Michael has been unable to attend these major events, so he is understandably excited at the prospect of watching his star performer in action again soon.