GEMMA OWEN has swapped dressage for the home straight as she’s riding in the Markel Magnolia Cup at Goodwood.
She follows in her dad ‘s footsteps who rode in a charity race at Ascot in 2017.
Gemma Owen will make her debut in racing at Goodwood in July Credit: Instagram @gemowen_1
The TV and dressage star has been riding out at Hugo Palmer’s yard Credit: goodwood press and media
Her dad Michael made his jockey debut in 2017 at Ascot Credit: Getty Images – Getty
is already a professional dressage rider for Great Britain and appeared on in 2022 – and has since become an influencer with a huge social media following.
She’s competing in the Markel Magnolia Cup on Ladies Day at Goodwood – a ladies-only charity race over 5½f on July 30.
Gemma is currently in training for the race, and is working at Manor House Stables – which her dad established in 2007.
Ballon d’Or winning father Michael, who is an avid racing fan, owns multiple horses trained by at the Cheshire-based yard.
Gemma is also training with 12-time group winning jockey Franny Norton.
Ahead of her debut in a different equestrian discipline Gemma said: “I’m really looking forward to taking part in the Markel Magnolia Cup this year.
“Believe it or not, I had never sat on a racehorse until a couple of months ago and the training so far has been humbling to say the least.
Spending more time at Manor House Stables, seeing how a racing yard runs like clockwork and getting out onto the gallops, has been an incredible experience.”
Owen has built up a huge following on social media since appearing on Love Island in 2022 Credit: Instagram
The star has hit 1.6m followers on Instagram Credit: Instagram
She added: “It is an even bigger challenge than I initially expected but I’m excited to take part in such a prestigious fundraising event which raises so much money for charities supporting women and children.”
Since its inception in 2011, the Markel Magnolia Cup has raised more than £3.5 million for charities supporting women and children.
This year it will raise funds for Education Above All Foundation.
All the Markel Magnolia Cup jockeys go through months of intensive training and fitness tests at the British Racing School in preparation to race down Goodwood Racecourse’s home straight in front of thousands.
The race has attracted many big names over the years – Ella Dettori, daughter of legendary jockey Frankie .
One of the two winners in a dead heat that year was – daughter of iconic two-time Derby winning trainer and sister to Thady Gosden who has trained alongside his dad for five years.
Michael Owen made his jockey debut in .
The pair finished a respectable second.
Horse racing fan and owner Michael Owen will be supporting his daughter at Goodwood in July Credit: Instagram
Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori posed with his daughter Ellie ahead of the 2021 Markel Magnolia Cup Credit: PA
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
