Ex-Beauty queen collapses and dies at Michael Owen’s riding stables

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Former beauty queen Jessica Whalley has been named as the woman who passed away whilst working at Manor House Stables, owned by former Premier League star Michael Owen. Her passing is not being treated as suspicious.

Whalley worked as a transport manager at the Cheshire-based stables and was an adored member of the team. The 25-year-old also worked for Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, deputy ruler of Dubai, and rode at his stables in the United Arab Emirates.

Whalley passed away suddenly at Manor House Stables on Tuesday, with paramedics failing to revive the former UK contestant for the Miss Tourism Universe pageant in 2019. Cheshire Police released a statement that read: “At around 8.50am today, Tuesday 28 March, police were made aware that a 25-year-old woman had collapsed at a stables on Old Coach Road, Malpas.

“Emergency services attended the location and, despite the best efforts of all those involved, the woman sadly died at the scene. The death is not being treated as suspicious and her next of kin have been informed. A file will be prepared for the coroner.”

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Whalley’s colleagues were shaken and heartbroken by the news, with Manor House Stables releasing a statement that read: “It is with deep sadness that we have to announce that a much-valued member of our team died at work this morning.

“The family have been informed and both the family and the team at Manor House request privacy at this time.”

Owen is said to have been seen in tears following the news, with Whalley’s friend Jessica Mair writing on Facebook: “So sad seeing him [Michael Owen] and all his staff in tears today after such a shock to them. Such a young age, no health problems, 25 is no age. Life really is too short for we never really know how long we have. Thoughts go out to her family and friends.”

Whalley was well-known within the racing community, having worked spent time with trainer Hugo Palmer previously before heading to the Manor House Stables. George McGrath, CEO of the National Association of Racing Staff, said: “Jessica had worked in Newmarket for a time. She had gone to rejoin Hugo Palmer in Cheshire. She was a much loved and respected member of the racing community and taken from us at much too early in age.”

Condolences have poured in for Whalley on social media, with trainers, jockeys and horse racing fans all sending their thoughts and best wishes to Whalley’s friends and family.

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