World snooker champion Kyren Wilson has joined forces with football legend Michael Owen – and is hoping for another pot of gold.
Just two days after his title win over Jak Jones, the 32-year-old will be cheering on his horse Auric in the CAA Stellar Handicap at Chester races on Wednesday.
Wilson, from Kettering, joined a syndicate after he was introduced to the sport by England and Liverpool great Owen. The former striker owns Manor House Stables in Cheshire, where thoroughbreds are put through their paces by Group One-winning trainer Hugo Palmer.
At a track known for its twists and turns, situated just 16 miles from the stable, Auric has 13 opponents over a sprint distance of six furlongs.
"Kyren joined one of our syndicates after meeting Michael and Auric is his first involvement in the sport," said Palmer, who saddled Galileo Gold to win the 2,000 Guineas with Frankie Dettori riding.
"He is due to be at Chester to watch the horse and it will be lovely if we can keep the celebrations going."
Wilson held a lead of 15-10 going into Monday's final session at the Crucible and had victory in sight at 17-11. But Welshman Jones, 7-0 down during a gripping final, took three consecutive frames.
Visibly emotional at clinching his first world championship, with his family in attendance, Wilson said: "My mum and dad have remortgaged and sacrificed their whole lives to get me here. My brother and wife too. The list goes on and on, it's a massive team effort."
His Chester runner goes to the three-day fixture in advance of course specialist Roman Dragon, handed the plum draw in stall one for a record attempt on Thursday.
If successful in the opening sprint, he will join Powerallied and Gabrial The Tiger at the top of a list of most wins on the Roodee. And on Friday, Palmer has booked up and coming star jockey Harry Davies to ride Zoffee, as the stayer bids to go one place better than last year in the Duke Of Westminster Supporting The Chester Cup.
"Roman Dragon arrives off what was probably a career best in Bahrain," Palmer added.
"He loves Chester and looks a million dollars. Zoffee is one of our best chances, he seems in the form of his life and has 3lb less to carry."
