Love Island star Gemma Owen finishes fourth as she rides in her first ever race – watched by her proud father Michael at Goodwood
Gemma Owen missed out on claiming her first win in jockey’s silks as she finished fourth in ladies-only charity race the Markel Magnolia Cup at Goodwood Festival on Thursday.
Owen started out wide on the near side and lost ground in the early stages but as the pack neared the post, gained impressively on her rivals.
But there was no touching the winner Imaan Rasul-Healer, a Newmarket insider, who rode the renamed Khor Al Adaid to victory by some distance.
Rasul-Healer had been the race’s first reserve until this week, when racing reporter Molly Hunter was forced to withdraw after an attack of vertigo.
Gemma’s dad Michael, the former England and Liverpool striker, was watching on and told Daily Mail Sport: ‘It was quite strange, nerve racking obviously worrying about her safety, albeit she’s a very capable rider.
‘However, going 40mph on the back of a horse is never the safest thing to do.
‘She missed the start by quite a long way which was frustrating as we all know how important the start is and she was told a hundred times, but she rode well so it’s all good.
‘I have a suspicion this won’t be her last ride in public as she has thoroughly loved the process, and they have lady amateur races so Hugo (Palmer) was already talking to her a week or two ago about perhaps riding in those.
‘I’d say she’s as competitive as me, so she won’t be happy she’s been beaten. She was left miles at the start, but I hope she still enjoyed the experience.’
Gemma Owen came fourth in her first race as a jockey as she took part in the Magnolia Cup
The ladies-only charity race is run on Ladies’ Day at Goodwood Festival and brings together aspiring jockeys and novices alike
Owen was watched by her famous father Michael as she put in a promising performance
The Love Island star is a passionate equestrian and has shared her love of horses with her 1.6 million Instagram followers.
Owen’s background however is in dressage, and as Owen said ahead of taking part in the race, her experience as a jockey was nil.
‘I’m really looking forward to taking part in the Markel Magnolia Cup this year,’ Owen said.
‘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.
‘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.’
Manor House Stables is the enterprise run by her football legend father Michael, who set up the yard in 2006.
Michael and his wife Louise Bonsall were both in attendance to watch their daughter compete, as well as to take in a number of runners on the Festival’s Ladies’ Day.
Winner Imaan Rasul-Healer ran a formidable race on Khor Al Adaid to claim Thursday’s win
Phantom Watch – running for the day as Turbo Trotter – was Owen’s mount, but Manor House Stables also have Lion Of Alba, Adaay Of Scarlett, High Hazard, Mia Fantasia, and Mr Seagull running throughout Day Three.
Among Owen’s fellow jockeys were a slew of inspirational women, intent on raising funds for the Cup’s chosen charities, Education Above All Foundation and Educate A Child International.
Those connected with the racing world included Australian racehorse trainer and broadcaster Charlotte Littlefield and bloodstock agent Victoria Wang.
Racing charity Riding A Dream Academy has fielded young jockey Ruth Inman, while a number of those newer to the sport – including Royal Marsden Hospital microsurgeon Joanna Bovis and Real Housewives of Cheshire star and breast cancer survivor Nermina Pieters-Mekic – also took part.