Michael Owen says he is "thrilled" to announce the new manager of a business he expanded in his Man Utd days.
The former Premier League striker has given the job of running his Manor House Stables to Hugo Palmer.
The 41-year-old will be moving from Newmarket to train thoroughbred racehorses from the 160-acre site in Cheshire.
Owen tweeted: “I am absolutely thrilled to announce that multiple Group One and Classic winning trainer, Hugo Palmer, is to join Manor House Stables as our trainer and will be taking up his appointment in readiness for the new season."
Owen and his wife Louise converted cattle barns into stables and in 2007, several years after he left Liverpool, he launched Manor House as a business.
Back then the facility had 30 horses but by 2009, when Owen had joined Sir Alex Ferguson's Man Utd on a free transfer, it grew considerably.
In May of that year, the stables could accommodate 90 horses, while a new lounge for owners, an office and accommodation for the staff were added.
Owen added: "Hugo’s CV is there for all to see and it’s a huge coup for the area to welcome one of the country’s leading trainers.
“MHS has made giant strides both on and off the track since we opened our doors 17 years ago and I look forward to furthering that success with Hugo in the years to come.”
Owen was almost at the end of his footballing career on the pitch, when there was a further expansion of the racing yard in 2012.
Palmer, a five-timer Group 1-winning trainer, joins the business following the shock departure of Tom Dascombe.
He had a 12-year association with Owen and last season his two top earners were part-owned by the ex-footballer.
Ever Given and Flaming Rib won £161,000 and £89,000 in prize money respectively.
Palmer celebrated his biggest victory in 2016 when Galileo Gold took the 2000 Guineas, one of the five British Classic races.
He enjoyed success at the highest level last season when Ebro River struck in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.
Palmer said: “Cheshire is a beautiful part of the world. It is also an opportunity to significantly expand the string of horses I am training.
“I am ambitious and hungry and I want to win more races.
“It has taken a lot of people by surprise, but it is a fantastic professional opportunity and also, from a personal side of things, it removes the pressure in many respects, as it just means I can be paid a salary to do the job I love, rather than tearing my hair out with people not paying me.”
A horse called Brown Panther gave Owen his first major win as an owner in the 2011 King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The Flat stayer, foaled from his mare Treble Heights, won 11 races and competed in places like Australia and Dubai.
