Michael Owen is to team up with trainer Tom Dascombe at the Manchester United star's Manor House Stables in Cheshire.

Lambourn-based Dascombe is regarded as a rising star of the game, and Betfair founder Andrew Black will also be involved, having reportedly bought a 50-50 stake in Owen's establishment.

Owen told the Racing Post: "All things start small. But we completed two state-of-the-art new American barns three months ago, and having a trainer of Tom's calibre gives us the chance to take this to a new level."

Dascombe added: "This is a big challenge, but it's a lot more than taking up a job as salaried trainer. At the moment I run a successful business as a trainer in Lambourn and I'm taking that business up to Cheshire to try to take the whole thing forward.

"Although I've had good winners, I could always struggle on my own. Michael Owen can struggle on his own. He and Bert (Black) have formed a partnership and I'll be working with that partnership."