'Half the stuff written about me is made up' - Michael Owen sets record straight

Michael Owen would not be the first star player to have wound up in the boardroom, yet being packed off 'upstairs' in his world is something entirely different from your average former professional footballer.

Up the staircase at the retired striker's state-of-the-art Manor House Stables is a quite magnificent owners' room, offering panoramic views over all 170 acres of lush Cheshire countryside that belongs to the yard. There are certainly worse places to start the day.

Owen, with his cheery smile and designer trainers, cuts a contented figure as he saunters in after first lot and who can blame him? New yearlings are arriving in the yard below, the winner's trophy for the Ayr Gold Cup sits regally on the bar and the team at Manor House could not be in better form. No wonder these are the days he cherishes most.