Bunting’s £54k horse bought with Owen and Littler faces debut delay

STEPHEN BUNTING’S racehorse has had its debut DELAYED until next year.

The world No9 bought the two-year-old colt alongside Liverpool FC legend Michael Owen and Luke Littler for £54,000 earlier this year.

Bunting Mental, is trained by Hugo Palmer in Cheshire and was due to hit the track in September.

It is by the stallion Ardad, who sired sprinting champion and Royal Ascot winner Perfect Power.

But Bunting, 41, revealed the Thoroughbred developed faster than expected and now requires further treatment.

He told Oche180: “The horse is working really hard. It has been doing a lot of swimming and rehab. It was growing a lot more than they thought it was.

“So, it was going to race in September but they have put that back and it is going to be next year.

“Hugo Palmer is very happy with it. We get constant updates on the horse. We speak to Michael Owen all the time.

“Me and Luke [Littler] always have a chat about it. But we can’t wait to get it on the race course.

“It’ll be early next year now. Hopefully it can get off to a flier and start earning us some money.”

Former Masters champ Bunting was unable to reveal the exact event the horse had been earmarked to compete in.

He added: “Not at the moment. I am not too sure. I will leave that down to Hugo.

“He is the man with the knowledge. He is one of the greatest trainers there is.

“Hopefully, as soon as we know we can get to the racecourse to watch it.”

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Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning