Owen working towards a riding debut at Ascot in November

He has owned and bred a Classic winner and now former England international footballer Michael Owen is set to take his passion for racing to the next level by getting the leg-up in the Prince's Countryside Fund Charity Race.

Owen began his riding education only this year, but the competitive streak that drove him to such heights during his playing career has clearly had a role in his decision to take part in the race at Ascot on November 24.

Michael Owen in his previous incarnation, after scoring for England against GermanyCredit: Ben Radford

"It's been a long-term ambition of mine to learn how to ride and race but, as a professional footballer, it was not possible," said Owen, whose Manor House training yard has already produced Royal Ascot winners in Ceiling Kitty and Brown Panther.

"Now I've set myself the target of competing in the charity race at Ascot in November. It’s a brilliant cause and I can’t wait to get started; it 's going to take a lot of hard work over the next few months, but I'm really looking forward to it."

Staged over the straight seven furlongs at Ascot and first run in 2015, the race has raised more than £720,000 for the Prince's Countryside Fund, which was founded by the Prince of Wales in 2010 to support farmers and the rural economy.