Rooney Buys Racehorse

Manchester United and England footballer Wayne Rooney has bought a yearling which is set to go into training with Tom Dascombe.

Dascombe's yard, which houses almost 100 horses, was purchased by Rooney's United team-mate Michael Owen in 2007.

Rooney paid a recent visit to the Manor House Stables in Cheshire and was so impressed he decided to buy the as-yet unnamed horse.

Dascombe enjoyed success this year with stable star Brown Panther.

After winning at Royal Ascot, the colt went on to finish second in the final Classic of the Flat season, the St Leger at Doncaster.

Brown Panther's success has helped Dascombe to 51 winners this year and more than £500,000 in prize money. In 2010 he had 37 winners and won £435,000 in prize money.

A spokesman for the yard said: "I can confirm that Wayne and Coleen [Rooney's wife] have bought a horse.

"I can't confirm all the details as yet as it's very early stages.

"He's been down here and obviously liked what he saw and he's bought a yearling to go into training with us next year.

"If it's the next Brown Panther, that would be amazing."