Michael Owen’s colt Brown Panther – King George V Stakes Royal Ascot winner ready to race
The highly successful Brown Panther lives up to his owner’s, Michael Owen, reputation. It became clear how seriously the star England striker takes his horses when he burst into tears after Brown Panther’s win at the King George V Stakes at the Royal Ascot. It was a mere Handicap race but the emotions were evident throughout the arena.
The son of Shirocco is a successful horse in lower division races, winning four races out of five starts he has made in his two and three year old career.
Brown Panther made his successful debut back in 11 November 2011 when he landed the MCGOW 123 on EBAY Maiden Auction Stakes. Among 10 other 2-year old horses, Michael Owen’s bay colt zipped past the competition to challenge the leader, Flying Power, and, defeated him by a length.
His three year old debut was not as successful as his first race, as he went on to finish fourth in the Lay Back and win Handicap on 20 April 2011, finishing 3 ½ lengths behind the winner Parlour Games.
A mere hiccup to kick off the 2011 season but the bay colt never looked back after that defeat and on 4 May 2011, Brown Panther landed the Ware Investment And Bridging4u Handicap and defeated the challenger, Fadhaa, by a neck. A close finish but the colt edged forward when it matter the most.
The connections of Brown Panther started growing in confidence and a start in the big races was considered but Michael Owen wanted his horse to prove he has what it takes to challenge the big boys, and proved it he did.
The next race was another Handicap race the Betfred “Both Teams Score…Goals Galore” where the colt expanded his winning streak to three in a row. Again taking on a field of ten, Brown Panther eased past his rivals to win by 1 ¾ length.
The Royal Ascot beckoned and the highly thought of horse participated in the King George V Stakes, another Handicap race but of much more significance. Brown Panther turned some heads when he bolted through the field of 1 mile and 4 furlongs to win by a massive 6 lengths.
Out of a field of eighteen Brown Panther announced his arrival and made his owner beam with pride and teary eyed.
Owen has to temper his enthusiasm and turn his focus towards the big assignment in Hamburg where his bay colt is set to start in the Deutsches Derby. It will be a huge test for Brown Panther and his connections for two reasons, firstly, it will be his first Grade 1 race and secondly it’s an international race.
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