Luke Littler has revealed he is already considering expanding his growing interest in horse racing, admitting he would love to buy another racehorse following his recent investment alongside Stephen Bunting and Michael Owen.
The teenage darts sensation, who has rapidly become one of the most recognisable figures in the sport, is beginning to explore life beyond the oche. While his primary focus remains firmly on competing at the highest level, his latest move into racehorse ownership highlights both his ambition and his willingness to branch out into new ventures.
Littler recently teamed up with Bunting and Owen to purchase a two-year-old colt named “Bunting Mental,” a name that has already struck a chord with fans due to its connection to Bunting’s well-known chant in the darts world. The horse is currently being trained at Manor House Stables in Cheshire, a respected facility owned by Owen, who has long been involved in horse racing and brings valuable experience to the partnership.
The investment itself represents a significant step for Littler, who despite his young age has already earned substantial prize money and secured major sponsorship deals. His rapid rise in darts has given him the financial freedom to explore opportunities like this, and it is clear that horse racing has quickly become an area of genuine interest.
Speaking about the move, Littler made it clear that this is unlikely to be a one-off experience. He openly admitted that he is already thinking about the possibility of buying another horse in the future, suggesting that he sees this as the beginning of a longer journey rather than a short-term venture. His enthusiasm was evident, but so too was a sense of realism, as he acknowledged that success in horse racing is far from guaranteed.
“It’s something I’d definitely look at again,” he explained, hinting at plans to build a small portfolio of horses over time. At the same time, he stressed that patience would be key, noting that the right opportunities would need to come along before making further investments.
Littler’s interest in horse racing appears to have been sparked earlier in the year when he attended the Cheltenham Festival, one of the biggest and most prestigious events in the sport. Experiencing the atmosphere firsthand left a lasting impression, giving him a deeper appreciation for racing and everything that comes with it.
He also enjoyed a bit of success during that visit, something he admitted added to the excitement and helped fuel his curiosity about becoming more involved. For many, attending an event like Cheltenham is enough to create a lifelong interest, and it seems to have had exactly that effect on Littler.
Now, with “Bunting Mental” in training, attention is beginning to turn toward the horse’s potential debut. Early indications from the training yard have been encouraging, with those close to the project describing the colt as a promising prospect. While it is still early days, there is cautious optimism that the horse could perform well once it reaches the track.
The involvement of Owen provides an important layer of expertise to the ownership group. Having spent years in the racing world, he understands both the opportunities and the challenges that come with owning horses. His experience is expected to be invaluable for Littler and Bunting, who are both relatively new to this side of the sport.
Trainer Hugo Palmer has also spoken positively about the horse and its owners, highlighting the excitement that comes from bringing together individuals from different sporting backgrounds. He noted that while success can never be guaranteed in racing, the enthusiasm shown by the group is a positive sign.
For Littler, the appeal of horse racing goes beyond just potential financial returns. It is about the thrill of competition, the anticipation of race day, and the unique experience of being involved in a completely different sporting environment. In many ways, it mirrors the excitement he experiences in darts, albeit in a very different setting.
Despite this growing interest, Littler has been quick to emphasise that darts remains his top priority. With the Premier League Darts season continuing and major titles still within reach, his focus is still on performing at the highest level on the biggest stages.
Balancing both worlds will be a challenge, but it is one that Littler appears ready to embrace. His ability to handle pressure and adapt quickly has already been demonstrated in his darts career, and those qualities could serve him well as he navigates this new venture.
The partnership with Bunting adds another layer of intrigue to the story. Known for his lively personality and strong connection with fans, Bunting shares Littler’s excitement about the project. Their friendship and shared passion for darts have now extended into horse racing, creating a unique crossover between the two sports.
Meanwhile, Owen’s involvement ensures that the project is grounded in experience and knowledge. His established presence in racing provides a solid foundation, giving the group a better understanding of what it takes to succeed in such a competitive environment.
The choice of name, “Bunting Mental,” has already proven to be a hit, capturing the spirit of the partnership and resonating with fans from both darts and racing communities. It reflects a sense of fun and personality, something that Littler has made clear will remain important in any future ventures.
Interestingly, Littler even joked about the possibility of naming a horse after his own nickname, “The Nuke,” but quickly dismissed the idea as “too boring.” It was a light-hearted moment that underlined his desire to keep things creative and engaging.
As anticipation builds for the horse’s first appearance, there is a growing sense of excitement around what lies ahead. While there are no guarantees in racing, the combination of youthful enthusiasm, experienced guidance, and a promising young horse has created plenty of optimism.
For Littler, this is more than just an investment—it is the start of something new. His comments about potentially buying another horse make it clear that he is thinking long-term, with ambitions that stretch beyond a single venture.
If his trajectory in darts is anything to go by, he has the determination and mindset to make a success of whatever he turns his attention to. And as he continues to dominate on the oche, he may soon find himself making waves in the world of horse racing as well.
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