Liverpool legend Michael Owen sparks fashion debate after wearing no socks to Goodwood
Liverpool legend Michael Owen has sparked a fashion debate by not wearing socks to Goodwood races.
The former star footballer was at the track this week to cheer on horses trained by the boss of his Manor House Stables, Hugo Palmer.
And they were in luck on Friday, when Seagulls Eleven (11-4) carried the colours of a group of Brighton FC players to victory in the Group Three Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes.
But Owen was not just talking horses during the five-day festival of racing, as his footwear choice was up for discussion.
"He's not wearing socks. He should have his feet cut off and shouldn't be allowed on the racecourse!" smiled Palmer on Racing TV, when Owen sported a pair of beige shoes earlier on in the week.
"I was stood here not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Am I right or wrong?!" Owen responded.
After seeing the clip, racing fans had their say on the issue, which caused much debate during Royal Ascot week.
"Hey who cares, Michael looks very smart, good on ya!" one wrote on social media.
"You don't wear socks with loafers. Good job you listened to your daughter," another added.
But a third posted an unhappy emoji, writing: "No socks!!!"
Men arriving without socks at the royal meeting in Berkshire were told that they had to buy them if they did not have any.
Royal Enclosure rules state that they must wear a jacket, collared shirt, tie and socks, which should be covering the ankle.
However the dress code for Goodwood is not quite as strict, with the website stating 'gentlemen (and boys aged 16 and over) are required to wear a suit jacket, long sleeved collared shirt and a tie, along with full-length trousers to all 19 racedays' in its premier Richmond enclosure.
Owen picked a pair of blue suede shoes for Friday, when Seagulls Eleven struck for a team of owners led by his friend James Milner.
Before the interview, when he told of his pride in the horse, presenter Lydia Hislop said: "We are just chatting about sock-gate from the other day when Hugo Palmer pointed out to Michael Owen that you should have your feet cut off if you didn't wear socks with shoes!"
Owen said: "That's what he said didn't he and apparently it went a bit viral. I'm not sure whether it was my dance before you panned up for the reveal. You can see whose advice I have listened to, I have gone no socks again with a blue suede shoe today."
Palmer's stable made it a memorable afternoon when Ardisia secured the Hawes and Curtis Nursery Handicap at odds of 20-1.
The double came hot on the heels of two Ascot wins at Group Three level last Saturday, via Fitzella (Sodexo Live! Princess Margaret Stakes, 6f) and Cheshire Dancer (Longines Valiant Stakes, 1m).
"That's three Group winners in six days for the yard so we are absolutely thrilled," Owen added. "I'm immensely proud of the team.
"Everyone works tirelessly hard for moments like this. It starts with me having a friend James Milner, an old teammate of mine and he went to Brighton and I revved him up to buy a horse, another and another - now they have four with us and we have had a lot of success with them."
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