Leger pass: Alex Ferguson gave me day off for Brown Panther says Michael Owen

Michael Owen missed Angel Alexander win the Ayr Gold Cup but on Sunday explained he was luckier eight years ago when Sir Alex Ferguson let him sit out a Manchester United fixture at Bolton to watch Brown Panther in the St Leger.

The legendary England forward, a part-owner of Angel Alexander, said the United boss had planned to select him as a substitute at the Reebok Stadium but made an exception so he could watch the horse he owned at Doncaster on September 10, 2011.

However, events conspired against Owen frequenting Ayr on Saturday to see his three-year-old Angel Alexander scoop the Scottish highlight at 28-1, with the football pundit watching the big-race triumph in a car with his brother when en route to London to work for BT Sport.

Speaking on Sunday, Owen said: "I was on the motorway heading down to London to do my regular football slot and I was watching the race on my phone.

"My brother was driving and I was in the back and didn't even say anything initially while watching the race. But all of a sudden, when I saw he had a big chance a furlong to go I started screaming, 'Go on my son!' and shouted him all the way home.

"My brother jumped through the roof basically! The horse was a big price and I didn't think I'd tell him. It was great. Obviously, I'd prefer to be in a different situation seeing the race in person, not in a car, but it's not often you win an Ayr Gold Cup, so it was absolutely amazing."

The horse most deeply associated with Owen's involvement in racing is Group 1 winner Brown Panther, and Ferguson, a longstanding fan of the sport who part-owned Rock Of Gibraltar, gave Owen permission to watch the son of Shirocco's gallant second to Masked Marvel in the final Classic of the season during his playing days.

"To be fair I've been very lucky with watching my horses race," reflected Owen. "Sir Alex Ferguson once let me go to the St Leger to watch Brown Panther, because I was only going to be on the bench for Manchester United away at Bolton.

Sir Alex Ferguson: long-term racing fanCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I didn't ask, he just knew from his racing knowledge that I had a runner in the Leger. And he said to me, 'On this occasion, I'll put someone else on the bench so you can go to the race'. So that was amazing.

"In general, I've watched all of Brown Panther's big victories. I went to Melbourne, the Breeders' Cup, Woodbine, the Irish St Leger, Royal Ascot and the Dubai World Cup. Pretty much everything he did I managed to see, which was good because the summer is when you get your time off as a footballer so it coincides nicely with the Flat.

"There are times early or late in the season when it can conflict with football, which was a bit depressing yesterday because it would have been great to have been at Ayr, but the rest of the lads had a brilliant time."

Biggest team celebration: Richard Kingscote (left), Tom Dascombe and Michael Owen (right) with Brown Panther after their Irish St Leger successCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Like Owen, Angel Alexander's trainer Tom Dascombe was also not in attendance at Ayr. The master of Manor House Stables had intended to make the meeting but train delays from Crewe put paid to his chances of reaching the track.

"I was catching the train up to Ayr yesterday from Crewe and when I got to the railway station the train was delayed for about an hour," said Dascombe on Sunday.

"It was going to be touch and go whether I got there in time for the race, so I decided not to wait for the train. I watched it on the TV with my family and there was less travel involved and less pressure sitting on the sofa!"

On intended plans for the progressive son of Dark Angel, Dascombe added: "We've always liked him. He's always been a nice horse but we decided to stick to handicapping this year.

"He's progressed with every run and now we'll have to up our game. There are plenty of options. There are races in Saudi Arabia, Dubai – there are all sorts of things we can do with him. I'm sure we'll get the owners together next week, have a bit of lunch and make some plans."

Owen, who holds equally high hopes for Angel Alexander, added: "He's only a three-year-old, so to win a race of that quality at that age is very exciting for the future.

"He's very progressive, has a lovely attitude, is very laid-back and obviously the team have done an amazing job with him. Winning a big handicap off 101 is a fantastic achievement.

"He proved he was adaptable and that he could go on quicker ground. We know he goes well with cut being a Dark Angel, so he's an exciting horse to have. He's a gelding as well, so we're probably going to be having fun chasing a lot of big pots."

For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app