Saffie Osborne Aims to Make History in the UAE Derby

The British rider will try to become the first woman to win a race part of the Dubai World Cup meeting

Saffie and Jamie Osborne: A Turf Family / DRC

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario) – Saffie Osborne is excited about the chance to replicate a special chapter in her family’s history in the UAE Derby (G2-1900m, dirt), one of the main events of today’s card at Meydan. Her father, Jamie Osborne, trained the unforgettable Toast Of New York (Thewayyouare) to win this very race in 2014, after an unconventional training regime on synthetic tracks in the United Kingdom.

Now, a decade later, Saffie will be the one guiding Heart Of Honor (Honor A.P.), who has been competing all season in the Emirates, with two victories and second-place finishes in the UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) and the Al Bastakiya, both on Meydan’s dirt track.

The young British jockey has already had two appearances at Dubai World Cup meetings but acknowledges that this is her best opportunity so far. It’s no small feat: in February of this year, she became the first woman to win a race at Meydan. “I’m very excited, really looking forward to it,” she shared. “He has a very good chance, and it’s been a long road to get here.” She added with a smile, “It’s huge. Eleven years ago, Toast Of New York won the UAE Derby. I was sitting on the couch at home, only 12 years old. So, to think that 11 years later, we’re back here… it’s pretty special.”

Heart Of Honor has been following a steady exercise routine on the dirt track, and his jockey is pleased with his condition: “I traveled last week to gallop him, and it was quite an impressive workout. Now, I’m just trying to keep everything balanced. He’s in great form.”