Former England footballer Michael Owen is opening up about the financial challenges of his post-playing career in horse racing.

In the upcoming reality series "Meet The Owens," Owen, 46, discusses the significant financial pressures of owning and training racehorses. "The biggest challenge is the financial side," Owen states in the series. "It's a bloody hard business and I can't keep haemorrhaging money." He acknowledges that while he has an estimated net worth of £54.4 million, the unpredictability of racing means he must be cautious with his finances.

The docuseries, which follows a year in the life of Michael, his wife Louise, and their four children—Gemma, James, Emily, and Jessica—highlights the contrast between Owen's lucrative football career and his current venture. During his time playing for Newcastle United between 2005 and 2009, Owen reportedly earned around £110,000 per week. After retiring from football in 2013, he transitioned to horse racing, a decision he describes as a gamble.

Owen explains that the business is a constant struggle due to its inherent unpredictability and competition from those with more financial resources. He recounts instances of being outbid at auctions, sometimes by foreign royalty and dignitaries, for horses within his preferred price range of £30,000 to £100,000. In one instance shown in the series, he spent £273,000 on three horses.

His wife, Louise, expresses frustration with his reluctance to share financial details about the business, stating, "Michael doesn't tell me anything so I have to trust he's in control." She also notes his peculiar spending habits, remarking that he readily spends on horses but scrutinizes household expenses.

The series also touches on Owen's transition into television, including his appearance on "The Masked Singer" in 2022. He admits that financial incentives played a role in his decision to participate, although he later expressed a sense of pride in his performance as "Doughnuts."

"Meet The Owens" also explores the family's home life and the children's aspirations. While youngest daughter Jessica dreams of becoming an Olympic showjumper, Emily is aiming for university, and James is considering joining the family's horse racing business. The series is set to premiere on Prime Video on August 28, 2026.