Michael Owen has revealed the considerable financial difficulties he has encountered since transitioning from his high-earning football career to the ownership of racehorses. The former striker, who commanded a weekly salary of approximately £110,000 during his tenure at Newcastle United between 2005 and 2009, confessed that the horse racing business is a "bloody hard" endeavor where he "can't keep haemorrhaging money."

Owen, now 46, acquired Manor House Stables in Cheshire, where he breeds and trains racehorses. Despite an estimated net worth of £54.4 million, he described the need for careful financial management in his current venture.

"The biggest challenge is the financial side," Owen stated in his upcoming reality series, "Meet The Owens." He explained that the unpredictability of the sport and competing against individuals with "much bigger pockets" makes it a constant struggle.

During an auction scene featured in the series, Owen discussed his purchasing habits, noting his "sweet spot" for horses typically falls between £30,000 and £100,000. He revealed spending £273,000 on three horses in a single outing, a decision his wife, Louise, expressed concern over.

"Michael doesn't tell me anything so I have to trust he's in control," Louise commented, adding that her husband can be surprisingly frugal in domestic matters while being more liberal with spending on horses. "He won't think twice about spending money on a horse, but if the kids leave a light on in the house he will hit the roof!"

Owen also reflected on his 2022 participation in "The Masked Singer," where he performed as 'Doughnuts.' He admitted that his primary motivation for joining the show was financial. "What made me do it? I guess the money!" he said, though he later expressed a degree of pride in his performance.

The six-part docuseries "Meet The Owens" chronicles a year in the life of Michael, Louise, and their four children—Gemma, James, Emily, and Jessica—as they navigate the complexities of the horse racing business alongside their home life. The series is set to stream exclusively on Prime Video starting August 28, 2026. The family is also preparing for an empty nest as their youngest, Jessica, pursues showjumping, while Emily, 18, considers university and James contemplates joining the family business.