Nicky Vaughan, who spent more than 10 years as travelling head lad to former Manton trainer John Gosden, followed by six years as his assistant, is to team up with England soccer star Michael Owen as the striker prepares to increase his racing interests.

The pair became friendly after being introduced by Vaughan's brother-in-law, former international David Platt, who recommended to Owen to send his horses to be trained at Manton by Gosden a few years ago.

The duo are looking for a yard that can be developed in the Cheshire area and go in business together.

Vaughan said that they will be starting with something reasonably small and go from there, but it would not be just for Owen's horses it would be open to other people as well.

When Gosden left Manton earlier in the year to move to Newmarket, Vaughan left and stayed in the Marlborough area and it would appear to have been a good decision.

"It is an exciting and great opportunity for me," Vaughan told the racing press.

"Knowing Michael I suppose it could make things a bit easier with a high profile soccer star involved. I am always going to be the focus of attention when we get started.

"We are still at an early stage and haven't found anywhere that we are 110 per cent happy with. It might take three months or perhaps 10, but at the end of the day the premises have to be right for all of us."