Darts champions Luke Littler and Stephen Bunting have added racehorse ownership, joining former football star Michael Owen at his training yard. The pair have purchased a colt named Bunting Mental, a son of Ardad, and will see the animal prepared by trainer Hugo Palmer, who already handles a syndicate that includes footballers. The move follows a trend of athletes diversifying their portfolios beyond their sport.

Palmer praised the eclectic ownership, saying the mix of darts, football and racing personalities will generate extra buzz on race day. He noted Bunting Mental is a sizeable horse with promising early workouts, but expects the colt to make his debut in the summer rather than this spring. The owners have been communicating mainly via WhatsApp, expressing enthusiasm for the venture.

The involvement of two world‑class darts players adds a fresh narrative to Owen’s stable, already known for attracting footballers such as James Milner and Danny Welbeck. While the partnership is unlikely to affect on‑track performance, it broadens the sport’s appeal and offers the owners a high‑profile hobby beyond the oche. Their involvement could spark new sponsorship deals.