Darts stars Luke Littler and Stephen Bunting have become racehorse owners after teaming up with former England footballer Michael Owen, according to multiple reports. The 19-year-old Littler and Bunting, both professional darts players, have entered the world of horse racing through a joint ownership venture with Owen, who owns Manor House Stables in Newmarket.
The two-year-old colt, named Bunting Mental, is by Ardad, who won the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2016, out of a Bated Breath mare. The name is a playful nod to Bunting's nickname, 'The Bullet,' and his intense focus during matches.
They [Littler and Bunting] haven't been up to the yard yet, they're due to come but they've been busy with the Premier League darts.
The horse fetched £54,000 at the sales, multiple sources reported. Bunting Mental is trained by Hugo Palmer, who has been working out of Michael Owen's Manor House Stables since 2022. Palmer described the horse as having 'loads of ability' and said he 'finds life incredibly easy.'
However, the horse's debut has been delayed due to a setback. 'He's just had a tiny niggle which has pushed him back a month,' Palmer said in a press conference. 'He won't be ready to run for a couple of months but he is a horse we are high on.' Palmer also noted that neither Littler nor Bunting have visited the stables yet. 'They haven't been up to the yard yet, they're due to come but they've been busy with the Premier League darts,' he said. Palmer welcomed the involvement of younger sportsmen, adding: 'Stephen is a big racing fan and I think everyone saw how much Luke enjoyed Cheltenham. He has a huge following and he is an extraordinary talent. It's great to have a young guy involved, most of our high-profile sportsmen in horse ownership are of my generation, so it's great to have people of the next generation.'
Stephen is a big racing fan and I think everyone saw how much Luke enjoyed Cheltenham. He has a huge following and he is an extraordinary talent. It's great to have a young guy involved, most of our high-profile sportsmen in horse ownership are of my generation, so it's great to have people of the next generation.
It remains unclear when Bunting Mental will make its racing debut, what specific setback the horse suffered, and how much ownership stake Littler and Bunting each hold. Future racing plans and targets have not been announced.
I think they have a really nice horse on their hands. He has pleased us in everything that he's done, he won't be ready to run for a couple of months but he is a horse we are high on.
This lad has been away for a racecourse gallop and showed up very well there. He finds life incredibly easy and has loads of ability. Franny Norton rides him and said he's all of the W's - 'Will win when wanted.' He's just had a tiny niggle which has pushed him back a month, but we think he will prove more than worth the wait.