FORMER England striker Michael Owen was edged into second place in the The Prince’s Countryside Fund special amateur charity horse race, sponsored by Tindle Newspapers, at Ascot last Friday.

The footballer, fifth in the all-time England scoring charts with 40 goals in 89 internationals, made his racing bow in the seven-furlong race, which kicked off The Prince’s Countryside Fund Racing Weekend and Christmas shopping fair.

After a hard-fought race in which Owen, riding Calder Prince, looked poised to win with just two furlongs to race, the 37-year-old former Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid forward was eventually pipped to the line by fellow amateur Tom Chatfield-Roberts on Golden Wedding.

“I’m home in one piece and had the time of my life,” said Owen, who breeds and owns racehorses but only got in the saddle for the first time this year.

“To get home safe and sound, to earn a lot of money for charity and to have an experience like I did - learn a new discipline, lose a bit of weight - I like to think some good has come from it.”

The amateur jockeys, including Hartley Wintney’s Southerly Roberts, were presented prizes by Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and Tindle Newspapers director Wendy Craig.

Mrs Craig added: “Tindle Newspapers Ltd was honoured once again to be involved in helping to raise funds and awareness for the Prince’s Countryside Fund, which was started by the Prince of Wales in 2010, by taking part in the fund’s special weekend of racing at Ascot.

“The majority of our local newspapers are in rural areas and we appreciate all that the fund has done to support the quality of country life. Readers, advertisers, staff and friends of The Herald enjoyed the two days at Ascot and were thrilled when the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall visited the course on Friday.”

Since the charity’s first raceday at Ascot in 2015, more than £720,000 has been raised as part of the partnership with the racecourse. This year, the race day boasted a full card of exciting jump racing, alongside a Christmas shopping fair in association with Country Living magazine.

As well as Mrs Craig, Tindle Newspapers was represented at Ascot by chief executive Danny Cammiade, Farnham Herald managing director Scott Wood, advertising manager Mandy Tegg, and chief reporter Daniel Gee.

They were also grateful for the support of Farnham town clerk Iain Lynch, Geoff Jeal of the Farnham Lions, Farnham Carnival chairman Colin Jordan, and Peter Loxton and Nick Adams from Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice.