MICHAEL OWEN scored an emotional success at Royal Ascot yesterday as Brown Panther gave trainer Tom Dascombe and jockey Richard Kingscote their second winner at the meeting with a superb victory in the King George V Stakes.

Sent off the 4-1 joint-favourite he stormed to a six-length triumph from Census.

Owen, the former Liverpool and England forward, bred the winner and owns him in the name of Owen Promotions. The Manchester United striker has invested plenty into Manor House stables in Cheshire, and with Dascombe training it is starting to bear fruit.

After the win Owen was moved to tears.

He said: “It’s a bit different owning a horse to win at Ascot to breeding one. This is a different horse to what we’ve had so far. It doesn’t get any better – this is where you want to end up.”

Dascombe added: “He’s been in the German Derby since day one, and the St Leger is possibly not a ridiculous idea. We know he stays, but we’ll enjoy this first.”

Racing is now a massive part of Owen’s life and he added: “I bought Manor House about five years ago and Tom moved in about two years ago. We’ve gone from just a few horses to training over 100. It was a time for patience last year and that patience has paid off and we are reaping the rewards this year. I’m delighted for Tom. Everyone knows he can train, and now we are getting the rewards we knew were possible.

“The thing with racing is there’s nothing I can do. When I play football I don’t get nervous because I can do something about it. With racing you’re in the lap of the gods. There’s not many better feelings than this.”