MICHAEL OWEN joked about ‘one of the most embarrassing moments of my life’ as five Liverpool stars celebrated a 22-1 winner with their horse.
Jordan Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Andrew Robertson plus former Red Adam Lallana all own Mr McCann.
The £65,000 horse is trained by Tom Dascombe at England hero Owen’s Manor House Stables.
After coming third on debut – the same spot Liverpool finished in the league – he has caught fire in his last two starts.
And a win at Lingfield on June 17 was backed up with a cracking triumph at Haydock on Thursday at giant odds of 22-1.
Owen was the group’s representative at the track and picked up the trophy and £4,266 first-place prize on their behalf.
But he winced when recalling the Hendo shuffle he performed in the winners’ enclosure.
To his credit, Owen posted a clip of the hilarious moment online, complete with his ‘do I have to do it?’ plea at the beginning of the video.
Racing fanatic Owen told Racing TV: “Yeah, that was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life I think.
“But I did promise the lads when I messaged them this morning – because obviously none of them can be here, with Jordan for example at the Euros – but I said if it wins I’ll pick up the trophy for them and do the Hendo shuffle.
“I had to do it but it wasn’t the best!”
Speaking of how they came to buy the horse – named after Liverpool’s press officer Matt McCann – Owen, 41, replied: “They got into ownership in the last few months.
“They wanted to buy a horse so we went to the breeze-ups and I must say they picked a real good one.
“They’re new into the game and they wanted an early, sharp two-year-old – but he looks more than that. He looks pretty impressive.”
Mr McCann has previously gone off at 11-1 and was 100-30 when winning at Lingfield.
The 22-1 was not enough to tempt Owen, but he said the Kop heroes had had a dabble.
Owen continued: “I never backed him but I’m sure the lads will have had a little tickle on, they backed him last time.
“It’s a perfect start to racehorse ownership for them.
“Hopefully they get the bug and they’ll be in it for a long time.”
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