Tragedy as woman, 25, working at stables owned by ex-Liverpool star Michael Owen suddenly collapses and dies
A WOMAN working at stables owned by ex-Liverpool footballer Michael Owen has collapsed and died, police said.
The 25-year-old fell ill at around 8.50am on Tuesday at the Manor House Stables in Malpas, Cheshire.
Emergency services attended but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene, Cheshire Police said in a statement.
The force said the death is not being treated as suspicious and her next of kin have been informed.
A file will be prepared for the coroner.
Manor House Stables said on Twitter: “It is with deep sadness that we have to announce that a much-valued member of our team died at work this morning.
“The family have been informed and both the family and the team at Manor House request privacy at this time.”
The stables is a purpose-built training facility created by Owen and his family.
It has been the base for trainer Hugo Palmer since last spring.
Owen, 43, a former England footballer who played for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City, set up the centre in 2006.
His daughter, Love Island star Gemma Owen, revealed it is home to 12 family horses.
Her own, called Sirius Black and described as “one in a million”, died suddenly in February 2023 aged 18.
Many others are looked after at the racing yard, the 19-year-old added.
The animals receive first class treatment, with a dedicated spa and swimming pool on the grounds, as well as vet visits twice a day.
Owen previously told the British Horseracing Authority: “The resemblance between race horses and footballers is uncanny, and the treatment and care they receive is a similar standard to what I was used to throughout my playing career.
“They’re treated like they’re special.”
Gemma and her dad are both keen riders, with Owen placing second on his debut as a jockey at a charity race at Ascot in 2017 and his dressage rider daughter “getting up at the crack of down, whatever the weather”.
After getting her first pony aged two, she has competed internationally for Britain in junior and young rider ranks and has won on the national circuit.
Mum Louise Bonsall was also a keen dressage rider.
Gemma, runner-up alongside Luca Bish on the eighth series of Love Island, lives at home with brother James, 17, and sisters Emily, 15, and Jessica, 13.
