EXCLUSIVE: Darts superstar Stephen Bunting told Liverpool.com how he ended up owning a racehorse with Reds legend Michael Owen and rival Luke Littler
Former Liverpool star Michael Owen convinced Stephen Bunting to buy a racing horse alongside Luke Littler
Former Liverpool star Michael Owen convinced Stephen Bunting to buy a racing horse alongside Luke Littler(Image: Getty)
Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen warned darts superstar Stephen Bunting that he would fall in love with horse racing ownership before getting into business with Luke Littler on a Bunting Mental joint venture.
Liverpool superfan Bunting, who’s one of British sports’ most recognizable stars, was introduced to ex-Reds striker Owen at Chester Racecourse when the pair first began to set their sights on bullseying horse racing after rising to fame in their respective fields.
Owen invited Bunting, a former BDO World Champion and two-time World Masters winner who has since become a PDC major champion, a multiple-time World Championship semifinalist, and one of darts' leading stars, to his Manor House Stables, where he warned him that he’d likely leave yearning to buy a horse of his own.
Owen would go on to be proven right, as Bunting pitched the idea to darts rival and current PDC world champion, Littler, who had long been fond of horse racing, having been spotted at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
“I've bought a horse with Luke Littler and Michael Owen. So we're delving into the horse racing game, which is a really exciting moment for us,” Bunting exclusively told Liverpool.com ahead of Thursday’s autobiography book release titled “Bullet Proof,” a nod to his iconic darts walkout song.
“I literally went to Chester to watch one of the races, and I got introduced to Michael. He invited me down to his yard, and he literally said, ‘You come down to my yard, but I can't promise you you'll leave without owning a horse,’” Bunting continued.
“And yeah, we kind of joked at the time, and he sent me a few horses across. And yeah, I had a word with Luke Littler. Obviously, he's a good friend of mine. And I just explained to him, ‘Do you want to be involved?’
Owen is a former Liverpool striker
Owen is a former Liverpool striker(Image: Getty)
“Obviously, ‘This is how much it's going to cost.’ And I know he likes his horses as well. And yeah, it was an easy, easy yes from him. And yeah, we just moved from there.”
The trio settled on the name “Bunting Mental,” maintaining a strong darts theme, and the horse will be trained by the renowned Hugo Palmer, based at Owen’s Manor House Stables in Malpas, Cheshire.
Despite being a sports star in his own right, captivating the attention of millions globally, as one of dart’s favorite players, the opportunity to team up with Owen proved too good to turn down. Owen was a player Bunting watched wear, score, and celebrate in Liverpool’s famous red jersey.
“I'm a massive Liverpool football fan. So obviously watching the football. I think I'm watching the Atletico Madrid game on Wednesday, and then it's [wife] Kiela's birthday on Tuesday. So we're going to go to the Tottenham game.
Luke Littler is also involved in the venture
Luke Littler is also involved in the venture(Image: Getty)
“So yeah, that's a big passion of mine. Obviously, my calendar is so full. So yeah, it's difficult to get to the matches all the time. But a massive passion of mine is going to Anfield and watching the Reds play.”
In his own family, Bunting falls into the small 10% that follow the Reds. The rest support Merseyside rivals Everton. Still, Bunting holds recent and historic bragging rights, with Liverpool the most successful club in England. “90 percent of my family are Blues, to be honest. Although they are bitter, some of them,” Bunting joked.
As for new Reds boss Andoni Iraola, Bunting is impressed by the Spaniard's start to life at Anfield. Iraola's attacking style of football is just what the club needs, says Bunting. "I think the style of play that Areola has is literally attacking, which leads into our players," he said. "I think we've got such a great attacking line-up. Obviously, [Alexander] Isak's in with the goals now. So yeah, I'm hoping, and I'm really optimistic about this season"