Talented horse owned by Michael Owen suffers fatal injury at Curragh

The horse owned by former England striker and football commentator Michael Owen was put down following a race at the Curragh yesterday.

Tom Dascombe-trained seven-year-old called Brown Panther, who was bred and part-owned by Owen, suffered a fatal injury whilst bidding for victory in the Palmerstown House Estate Irish St Leger.There were three vets with him within seconds and he was put down as unfortunately he just couldn't be saved. Writing on his Twitter page, BT Sport commentator Owen explained why Brown Panther meant so much to him, and how he spent the horse's final moments with him: "It's the saddest day of my life. The toughest, most honest, brilliant horse I will ever set eyes on passed away today doing the thing he loved the most." "A shattered hind leg that was irreparable according to the first class team at the Curragh ended his life." "I was with him when he was born, shared an experience for seven years that will never be repeated and gave him his last kiss goodbye. "What an honour to own and breed him. I love you Panther, life will not be the same without you." Paul Hensey, General Manager at the Curragh, said: "Brown Panther suffered a compound fracture of his hind leg. There were three vets with him within seconds and he was put down as unfortunately he just couldn't be saved."