Luke Littler joins forces with Michael Owen and Stephen Bunting to buy £54k racehorse

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Luke Littler and Stephen Bunting are now racehorse owners after joining forces with Michael Owen . The two-year-old colt in question is aptly named Bunting Mental.

Reigning PDC world champion Littler is used to duelling with Bunting on the Premier League oche but the darting duo have come together to purchase a horse with former Liverpool and Manchester United striker Owen.

Bunting Mental is trained by Cheshire-based handler Hugo Palmer, who has been operating out of Owen's Manor House Stables since 2022 . The ex-England man founded the base in 2006 and began operating in 2007 , dedicating much of his time to racing since his 2013 retirement.

Littler was spotted at the Cheltenham Festival in March, enjoying proceedings with his girlfriend Faith Millar . He and Bunting have evidently been inspired to dive into ownership.

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The two-year-old cost £54,000 at the sales and is by Group 2 and Listed-winning sprinter Ardad, out of a Bated Breath mare. Ardad impressively won the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2016.

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Littler and Bunting's horse, named after the latter's famous chant, won't be in action for a few months after a setback, but trainer Palmer had some kind words for the ownership and the colt himself.

He told The Sun : "They [Littler and Bunting] haven't been up to the yard yet, they're due to come but they've been busy with the Premier League darts.

"Stephen is a big racing fan and I think everyone saw how much Luke enjoyed Cheltenham. He has a huge following and he is an extraordinary talent.

"It's great to have a young guy involved, most of our high-profile sportsmen in horse ownership are of my generation, so it's great to have people of the next generation.

"I think they have a really nice horse on their hands. He has pleased us in everything that he's done, he won't be ready to run for a couple of months but he is a horse we are high on."

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Palmer also spoke fondly of Bunting Mental when talking through his two-year-olds for this season. He told Sporting Life : "This lad has been away for a racecourse gallop and showed up very well there.

"He finds life incredibly easy and has loads of ability. Franny Norton rides him and said he's all of the W's - 'Will win when wanted.' He's just had a tiny niggle which has pushed him back a month, but we think he will prove more than worth the wait."

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